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June 03, 2008

Jerome Meet Organizers Celebrate Silver Anniversary

In 1983 the Achilles International Track and Field Society organized an event that was heralded as "the return of world-class track and field to Vancouver." A year later that event was officially named the Harry Jerome International Track Classic in honour of the late Canadian sprinter Harry Jerome -- Olympic bronze medallist and world record holder.

Not only did world-class track and field return to the Vancouver area 25 years ago, it stayed and flourished as the annual Jerome meet continues to offer an important opportunity for B.C. and Canadian athletes to compete at home against international rivals.

On June 21, Achilles International celebrates the silver anniversary of the annual Jerome meet as athletes worldwide prepare to go for gold or personal best performances in August at the XXIX Olympic Summer Games in Beijing, China. This year's Jerome meet will serve as a critical event for Canadian and international track and field athletes to attain Olympic qualifying standards.

Over the years the list of Jerome meet participants has included the best of Canadian and international athletes. That roster includes stars such as Donovan Bailey, Carl Lewis, Leroy Burrell, Joaquim Cruz, Mary Slaney, Daley Thompson, Dave Steen, Lynn Williams, Debbie Brill, Angela Chalmers, Mike Boit, Eamonn Coghlan, John Walker and Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

This year's meet, which is part of the PacifiCanada Track and Field Series, features many top Canadians on the road to Beijing, including Canadian 800-metre record holder Gary Reed, silver medallist in the two-lap event at the 2007 world track and field championships. Also competing are former world junior high jump champion and 2008 NAIA champ Mike Mason, and shot putter Dylan Armstrong, who recently rewrote the Canadian shot put record with a 20.92-metre toss at a meet in Belgrade.

The 25th annual Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic goes Saturday, June 21 at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium. Tickets and meet information are now available through the meet website at www.harryjerome.com.



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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