Media Room
Press ReleasesJune 9, 2004
Two Laps Are Better Than One As Jerome Entries Celebrate Depth In Canadian 800-Metre Running
Victoria's Diane Cummins leads an outstanding group of Canadian 800-metre runners entered in the July 1 Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic, presented by Golder Associates.
Cummins, sixth-place finisher in the 800-metre final at last year's world track and field championships in Paris, has chosen not to compete in Europe prior to the July 9-11 Canadian OlympicTrials-national championships in Victoria. Instead, the Canadian record holder is including the Jerome meet in a pre-trials campaign that includes her participation in meets on the west coast of Canada and the United States.
So far, the strategy to stay relatively close to home appears to be working for the Wynn Gmitroski-trained runner. On June 5 Cummins, whose best is her Canadian record 1:58.39 set in 2001, ran a strong 1:59.38 to finish second to American rival Nicole Teter at the Oregon Track Classic. Pacific Athletics teammate Aimee Teteris, a member of Canada's team to the 2004 world indoor championships, took fifth in that event in 2:02.83 and will also compete at the Jerome.
"I decided my priority this year was to make the Olympic team," said Cummins of her decision to stay in North America until after the Olympic trials. "We are trying to eliminate as much travel as possible, preferring to stay at home, focus on training, run a couple of good races. The Harry Jerome meet will be fantastic. Then, after the national championships I am heading off to Europe and then I'll be with the big guns, running in a couple of Golden Leagues and Grand Prix."
The 21st annual Harry Jerome Track Classic at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium will serve as an opportunity for families and track and field fans to celebrate Canada Day and to cheer on athletes as they seek to attain qualifying standards for the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Athens.
Cummins, 30, opened her 2004 campaign on May 31 with a third-place finish behind winner Teter at Stanford's Payton Jordan Open in a promising effort of 1:59.67. Teteris took fifth in that event with a personal best 2:01.94.
For many years in Canada Charmaine Crooks was the athlete identified with the 800 metres, one of the most powerful and punishing events in track and field. But since Cummins' broke Crooks' longtime national record at the distance back in 2001 the event has enjoyed renewed popularity and participation on both men's and women's sides and the 800 metre races should prove a Canada Day highlight at the Jerome meet.
Montreal's Achraf Tadili will be bringing some fast times to the men's two-lap event on July 1. The 23-year-old Moroccan-born runner, gold medallist at the 2003 Pan-American Games with a personal best and Canadian record 1:45.05, earned the Olympic A-standard with a 1:45.21 effort at a recent track meet in Poland.
In April, Tadili served notice he had maintained his fine 2003 form by opening his 2004 outdoor campaign with a bronze medal in the 800 metres at the IAAF Grand Prix II in Martinique. From there he showcased his speed by running the 400 metres in 46.64 to capture a bronze medal at the Modesto Relays in California.
Other early entries in the Jerome men's 800 metres include Tadili's Canadian rivals Gary Reed and Zach Whitmarsh. Victoria-based Reed of Kamloops won the two-lap event at last year's Jerome meet and is the reigning Canadian champion while Victoria's Whitmarsh is a five-time national champion.
This year's Jerome meet will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Miracle Mile in playing host to the LegaciesNow Miracle Mile: Gold Edition. Special guests for the day include Victor Milligan, fourth-place finisher at the 1954 British Empire Games Miracle Mile in Vancouver, plus mile greats Peter Snell and John Walker of New Zealand and American Steve Scott.
The meet is part of the PacifiCanada track and field series. Other events in the series are:
- June 11 - Victoria International Track Classic, Victoria
- June 23 - Review Kajaks International Track Classic, Richmond
- June 26 - Abbotsford International Track Classic, Abbotsford
- July 3 - Victoria TrackFest Twilight Meet, Victoria
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
