Media Room
Press ReleasesJune 8, 2004
Mondor Finds Perfect Olympic Prep In Jerome 1,500 Metres
There is no question Emilie Mondor can go the distance. Just how fast and who will challenge her is the mystery to be solved when Mondor takes to the starting line for the women's 1,500 metres July 1 at the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic presented by Golder Associates.
Mondor, a native of Mascouche, Que., who trains in Burnaby, has already qualified to run the 5,000 metres at the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Athens. But in racing the shorter distance at the 21st annual Jerome event at Swangard Stadium the reigning Canadian 5,000-metre champion will showcase some versatility in what should be a most competitive race.
"I am looking forward to the Harry Jerome meet, using it as a tune-up for the national championships in Victoria and as part of my Olympic preparation," notes Mondor, who last year became the first Canadian woman to run 5,000 metres in under 15 minutes. "I also like to support the events in this community. It's important for Canadian athletes to be here, to compete here sometimes. At nationals I want not only to win but to do a very good time. My objective is to do my PB, if it's not pouring rain, in the 5,000 metres."
The 21st annual Jerome meet at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium is part of the five-event PacifiCanada Track and Field Series which offers more than $100,000 in prize money. Competitors at the event will also be seeking to attain qualifying standards for the Olympics in Athens. The meet will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Miracle Mile in featuring the LegaciesNow Miracle Mile: Gold Edition.
Mondor, 23, began 2004 with some outstanding winter results on the international cross country trails. She won a major cross-country event in Northern Ireland, defeating Commonwealth Games silver medallist and world half-marathon record holder Susan Chepkemei of Kenya. At the world cross country championships in March she was a member of the Canadian women's team that earned a bronze medal in the women's 4K race - Canada's first medal at the world event since 1983.
In April she won the women's division of the Vancouver Sun Run with a strong 31:10 time for the 10-kilometre road race. Recently Mondor finished eighth in the women's 5,000 metres at the IAAF Golden League's Bislett Games in Norway. In that race, Turkey's Elvan Abeylegesse smashed the world record by more than three seconds, winning in 14:24.68.
"It was a weird kind of race," says Mondor of the Turkish runner's record run. "At this point in the year it's very early to be that fit and to break a record like that. I will be ready for the Olympics. I'm already fit, I'm not the best in the world right now but that would be normal because there is still some time to go before the Games and it's important not to peak too early."
Also running the 1,500 metres is two-time NCAA champion and Pan-American Games silver medallist Mary Jayne Harrelson of the United States. Simon Fraser University standout Julia Howard, who took first in the 800 metres and second in the 1,500 metres at the recent NAIA championships in Louisville, Ky., will also contest the women's 1,500 metres at the Jerome meet.
Meantime, the women's 100-metre hurdles is also shaping up to be an exciting event with the Canadian duo of Priscilla Lopez and Angela Whyte joining American Danielle Carruthers on the start list.
Lopez, of Whitby, Ont., comes into the Jerome meet with a seed time of 12.64 seconds, under the Olympic qualifying standard of 12.90. The University of Nebraska sophomore earned the qualifying mark in finishing second at the recent NCAA championships in Austin, Tex.
Whyte, 24, ran a personal best 12.75 seconds in winning the 100-metre hurdles at the Mt. SAC Relays in April. At the June 19 Prefontaine Classic in Oregon she finished fourth in 12.87 behind winner and fellow Canadian Perdita Felicien, whose 12.46 winning effort was a Canadian record and season world best.
Carruthers took second behind Felicien in a personal best 12.56 and will be looking to improve on that effort on July 1.
The Jerome meet is also part of the PacifiCanada track and field series. Upcoming events in the series are:
- June 23 - Review Kajaks International Track Classic, Richmond
- June 26 - Abbotsford International Track Classic, Abbotsford
- July 3 - Victoria TrackFest Twilight Meet, Victoria
Tickets: $10 at TICKETMASTER - children 12 years and under free.
Contact: Diane Clement
(604) 261-6220
dclement007@mac.com
Meet information:
www.harryjerome.com
www.pacificanada.ca
If you have any questions contact: media@harryjerome.com
