Media Room
Press ReleasesJune 24, 2004
International Reply To Cap Festivities As Jerome Meet Celebrates The Miracle Mile
The July 1 Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic presented by Golder Associates will pay tribute to a man who was as gold as gold in the international sprinting world and the golden anniversary of one of the greatest sporting moments ever beheld in Canada.
The 21st annual meet at Swangard Stadium, held in honour of Commonwealth Games gold medallist and 1964 Olympic 100-metre bronze medallist Harry Jerome of North Vancouver, will feature an international 4x400-metre sprint relay that will determine Canada's chances of fielding a relay team in the event at the upcoming Summer Olympics in Athens. The race will cap an afternoon of Canada Day international athletics competition.
"This is a focal point for our meet," remarked Doug Clement, chair of the meet organizing Achilles International Track and Field Society. "It's the first time we have had a true national team relay battle between four countries."
The men's 4x400-metre international relay is a late addition to this year's Jerome program, coming at the request of Athletics Canada and other international relay team representatives seeking a meet to serve as a relay qualifier for the Summer Games in Athens. Four countries - world No.1-ranked United States, Canada (No. 15), Trinidad and Tobago (17) and the Dominican Republic (unranked) are confirmed entries.
"This is also important for Canada as the top 16 ranked teams are invited to the Olympics," explained Clement. "Right now we are No. 15 -- if Trinidad and Tobago or the Domican Republic beat us we will be displaced. This is a major addition to our meet schedule."
Rosters for the international relay teams have yet to be confirmed but it is likely the Canadian foursome will include B.C. runners Shane Niemi, the national 400-metre record holder, and Tyler Christopher.
The 2010 LegaciesNow Miracle Mile: Gold Edition will also be a meet highlight as the race celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Miracle Mile that saw Britain's Roger Bannister outfinish Australia's John Landy at the 1954 British Empire Games in Vancouver.
The Gold Edition will feature an international field of competitors, including representatives from Commonwealth countries Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Kenya and Canada in celebration of that historic 1954 race that remains one of the great sporting contests to have ever been held in Canada. The United States will also be represented by a trio of runners.
Leading the Canadian contingent in the 2010 LegaciesNow Miracle Mile: Gold Edition will be Canada's Ryan McKenzie. The Windsor, Ont., runner won the national 1,500-metre championship in 2002 and was third at last year's Canadian championships. He is also the only runner in CIS history to earn four gold medals at the national university championships.
Fifty years ago Australia's John Landy made an ill-fated glance over his left shoulder as rival Roger Bannister surged past on the right side to win the Miracle Mile in 3:58.8. Representing Australia at this year's Gold Edition will be Mark Fountain, whose best for the mile is 3:57.30. Great Britain's representative will be 800-metre runner Andrew Brown, stretching out to the mile distance and New Zealand runner Jason Woolhouse will be seeking to dip under four minutes at Swangard Stadium as he comes with a mile best of 4:00.60.
Kenya's Elkanah Angwenyi ran 3:54.52 to finish third behind young American phenom Alan Webb (3:50.85) at the recent Prefontaine Classic in Oregon. The Kenyan may well be the favourite in the Gold Edition mile.
But look also for another young American sensation seeking to dip under the four-minute mark in the tradition of former American miling greats Jim Ryun and Steve Scott and, more recently, 21-year-old Webb. Galen Rupp, 18, a senior at Portland's Central Catholic high school, comes into the Jerome meet with a personal best of 4:01.8 for the mile and will be seeking a sub-four-minute time for a new best.
On Wednesday, at the Richmond Review Kajak Track Classic, he broke the U.S. Scholastic Record for 3,000 metres with his 8:03.67. Rupp is coached by former marathon great Alberto Salazar.
***REMINDER: NEWS CONFERENCE FEATURING JEROME PARTICIPANTS TO BE HELD JUNE 29, 12 NOON AT THE B.C. SPORTS HALL OF FAME.
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
