The rich and deep tradition of track and field in Vancouver will be celebrated again on Monday, June 8th at the legendary Swangard Stadium. The 32nd Annual Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic will again honour the world record holder and Olympic medalist, Harry Winston Jerome. His life was celebrated with the feature film, Mighty Jerome from the acclaimed filmmaker, Charles Officer.
The film features the story of the rise, fall and redemption of Harry Jerome, Canada's most record-setting track and field star. Gorgeous monochrome imagery, impassioned interviews and astonishing archival footage are used to tell the triumphant and compelling story of what Harry Jerome's own coach called "the greatest comeback in track and field history."
Harry Jerome with double Olympic gold medalist, Percy Williams
Harry Jerome died in 1982 of a brain aneurysm at age 42 years. His grandfather John Howard represented Canada at the 1912 Olympic Games. Besides setting 7 world records, Harry won medals at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Harry at Pan American Games in Winnipeg
Of great significance this year is the fact that Harry won the gold medal at the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg and this this Canadian athletes will try and duplicate this feat at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.
48 years after Harry’s gold medal, the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic will be an important step as a qualifying competition on the “Road to the Pan Ams”. The selection of the team will close on June 14th so the Jerome will one of the last opportunities to claim a spot on Team Canada in Toronto.
All details for athletes and spectators about the 2015 edition on June 8th are found here.
