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May 27, 2008

World Silver Medallist Reed Inspires Next Generation Of Track And Field Competitors

Playgrounds are not known as quiet, introspective venues but the proverbial pin dropping would have made a sound Monday as runner Gary Reed addressed young track and field athletes at Vancouver's Hastings Elementary School.

"Some things will happen to you," said Reed to his attentive audience. "Some things will happen for you. And it's all about how you look at it. Turn the bad things into the good things and you will always win."

Reed knows a thing or two about overcoming hard times. He has transcended the problems and challenges that stem from growing up in financial hardship to become not only one of Canada's top track and field athletes, but also one of the finest runners on the world stage. In 2007 the Victoria-based speedster earned a silver medal in the 800 metres at the world track and field championships in Osaka, Japan.

The Canadian record holder now has his sights set firmly on the upcoming Summer Olympics in Beijing. He recently confirmed he will run the 800 metres at the June 21 Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic as his final prep before the July 3-6 Canadian Olympic trials in Windsor, Ont.

"I want to put on a show at the Jerome this year," said Reed, who recently completed a high altitude training camp in Arizona. " I want to run really fast there. It's my last race before Olympic trials so I'm looking to get in a good effort, a strong run. I know what the meet record is, and it's faster than the Canadian record. That's why you shoot for the stars."

That message was not lost on the more than 100 young Hastings athletes who met with Reed on Monday. The students are honing their athletic skills as part of the Jerome Talent Search Program, which provides coaching and competition opportunities to more than 1,200 children at several Vancouver inner city elementary schools. The program, initiated by the Achilles International Track and Field Society and delivered by Guardian Athletics, is supported in part by donations, including $30,000 from the Vancouver Sun and TELUS Vancouver Community Board.

The program, in its second year, has proven a great success in giving inner city youngsters fitness, competition and mentoring opportunities that had not previously been available.

"When these kids come in from track you can see, hear and feel their energy and they take that through to the classroom," remarked Hastings Elementary principal Ruth Wrinch. "It is like a gift. They are here at 8 a.m. twice a week for practices, here at lunch time, and you can see and feel their enthusiasm. The parents are just thrilled with what is happening."

The 2008 Jerome meet, slated for June 21 at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium, marks the second year of the meet organizers' Jerome Talent Search Program, which will culminate in elementary school team races as part of the meet agenda. The annual Jerome meet is held in honour of the late Harry Jerome, world record holder and Olympic bronze medallist and a longtime supporter of youth athletic programs.

"Some kids don't know they have a talent until they have an opportunity," noted program coach Besnik Mece. "We are trying to expose them to this sport, give them some help and encourage them to have fun. They are fantastic kids."

Despite a busy training schedule and looming Olympic pressures Reed was eager to share his stories and experiences with the Hastings Elementary athletes. He knows well how inspiration and motivation can make a difference in life.

"I grew up very underprivileged," he said. "You don't have a lot of people telling you that you can, you should, you have a right to believe. So I have a special place for kids who struggle and I will always give back."

For meet media inquiries contact:
Diane Clement
dclement00@hotmail.com or (604) 261-6220

For athlete information contact:
Marek Jedrezejek
marekj@interchange.ubc.ca or (604) 822-6259

or

Doug Clement
dclement00@hotmail.com

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