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Press Releases

June 23, 2008

Canadian Athletes Take Several Steps Closer To The Beijing Olympics

Canadian athletes took several steps closer to the Beijing Olympics when 16 marks set during the PacifiCanada Track and Field Series exceeded the tough standards set by the Canadian Olympic Committee and Athletics Canada.

Gary Reed of Kamloops, the Silver Medalist in the 2007 World Championship in the 800m showed his consistency by getting the A+ standard twice in 3 days. He won in Victoria and with one days rest improved on his time by winning again at the Jerome Classic.

Dylan Armstrong of Kamloops, the new Canadian record holder in the shot put tossed over 20 meters in the same meets. Both are preparing for the qualifying rounds and the finals scheduled in Beijing this August.

Ontario's Taylor Milne shocked the Canadian scene with his 3 and a half second personal best while Kevin Sullivan, Kurt Benninger and Nathan Brannen all got B standards in the 1500m. This sets up a terrific battle for the three Olympic team berths up for grabs at the final Olympic Trials in Windsor July 3 to 6.

Scott Russell reinforced his dominance in the javelin with both an A+ and B standard in Richmond and Victoria.

Priscilla Lopes-Schleip, who trains in Nebraska, hurdled twice in the PacifiCanada Series at the A standard to lead our strong hurdle crew. Angela Whyte and Perdita Felicien must come up with the tough standards before or during the trials as both have struggled with injuries this spring.

Brian Barnett of Edmonton continued to dominate the sprints in the west as he got both a A and B standard in the 200m and 100m. He will face Jared Connaughton of PEI in the trials in the sprints and may well be team mates on Canada's 4x100m relay team

The PacifiCanada Series 2008- Richmond June 15 (R), Abbotsford June 17 (A), Victoria June 19 (V) Burnaby June 21 (B)

16 Olympic qualifying marks were achieved during the 2008 PacifiCanada Track and Field Series.

A+ Olympic Standard
2 x Gary Reed 1:45.44 (A) + 1:45.66 (V) Taylor Milne 3:36.00 (B)
2 x Dylan Armstrong 20.56 (B) + 20.47 (V) Scott Russell 83.20 (R)

A Olympic Standard
Brian Barnett 20.56 (0.0) (R)
2 x Priscilla Lopes Schleip 12.86 (+0.4) (B) + 12.90 (+0.7) (V)

B Olympic Standard
Scott Russell 78.90 (V)
Carline Muir 51.77 (B)
Sultanna Frizell 67.99 (R)
Brian Barnett 10.28 (+0.8) (R)
Kevin Sullivan 3:38.40 (B)
Kurt Benninger 3:38.54 (B)
Nathan Brannen 3:38.70 (B)

For 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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