Media Room
Press ReleasesMay 11, 2006
Pole Vault Will Be A Crowd Pleaser
Up close, and personable.
That's the best way to describe the event and competitors for the women's pole vault at the 2006 Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic, featuring the Pacific World Cup.
The women's pole vault will be one of the highlight events at the June 8 meet at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium as meet organizers have opted to put the popular event "front and centre," staging the competition directly in front of the grandstand alongside the track. In previous years the event has been contested on the north side of the stadium and field area, farther away from spectator view and support.
Moving the event location means this year's spectators will have an outstanding view as two of the top women athletes in the event compete for their respective countries - Gao Shuying of the People's Republic of China and Canada's Stephanie McCann.
A year ago Gao, the Asian champion and Asian record holder with a personal best of 4.53 metres, persevered in cool, wet conditions to win the 2005 Jerome meet women's pole vault with meet record-effort of 4.41 metres. Gao's enthusiasm was evident despite the difficult conditions and she quickly became a meet fan favourite.
Two months after the 2005 Jerome meet Gao finished fifth in the women's pole vault final at the 10th World Track and Field Championships in Helsinki, clearing 4.50 metres.
Gao's participation in the 2005 Jerome meet came as part of a historic move from Chinese athletics officials to field a small team to the event to take part in a dual meet against Canada within the event program - marking the first time China has fielded a national track and field team to a Canadian meet. The Pacific World Cup concept proved so successful that this year's meet features a full dual meet between the People's Republic of China and Canada, in addition to a corresponding provincial dual meet featuring British Columbia versus Alberta.
Gao will be one of 34 Chinese athletes scheduled to compete at the June 8 event, which serves as a celebration of competition and cooperation between Canada and China. These nations are slated to host the next two Olympic Games as China welcomes the world for the Summer Games in Beijing in 2008 and Vancouver will play host to the Winter Olympics in 2010.
"As we approach the 2008 Olympic Games my achievement today was a big encouragement," said Gao after winning the Jerome women's pole vault in 2005. "This result, and coming here, will help me go even further."
McCann, meantime, comes to the 2006 Jerome meet off a strong early spring season that saw her earn a bronze medal (4.25 metres) at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. Three weeks later she finished second to American Jenn Stuczynski at the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif., where her 4.37-metre effort was her best since a 4.40-metre leap in 2004. McCann's personal best remains a 4.41-metre mark earned in 2003.
Teenager Liang Dan joins 26-year-old Gao as China's representatives in the pole vault - Canada and China will field two athletes per event and a team each in relays as part of the dual meet competition for the Pacific World Cup. Just 17, Liang earned a personal best 4.20 metres a year ago in Shanghai and recently cleared 4.15 at a Chinese national meet in Chongqing.
Rosters for both Canada and China teams will be confirmed shortly for the June 8 Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic, one of four meets in the annual PacifiCanada Track and Field Series. China has also confirmed some national team athletes will also compete in select events at other meets in the series - Abbotsford (June 4), Richmond (June 6) and Victoria (June 11).
For media inquiries contact:
Diane Clement
(604) 261-6220 / dclement00@hotmail.com
For athlete information contact:
Marek Jedrzejek
(604) 822-6259 / marekj@interchange.ubc.ca
or
Doug Clement
dclement00@hotmail.com
