Victoria Launches 2021 Outdoor Canadian Season Attack On Olympic Standards

Victoria will be the site of the first outdoor event of 2021 hoping to help Canadian athletes move to qualifying to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.  Working within the limitations created by the current pandemic this event set for the 12 of March will focus on the women preparing for the tough standards needed for selection to Canada’s Olympic team.

This changing set of criteria combines the traditional performance standards (modified by the level of competition), world ranking and maximum number of entries in each of the events. The Canadian Olympic Trials will not require athletes who have satisfied the International Olympic Committee requirements to be present.

This makes local events with limited event focus and number of participants most important to move athletes who are on the bubble towards qualification standards.

The Victoria event will focus on the women’s 1000m and 1500m with very strong fields.

1000m

Maddy Kelly’95, Ontario personal best 2:37.79 indoor

Laurence Cote’91 Quebec personal best 2:38.77 indoor

Olivia Romaniw’95 Ontario personal best 2:42.58 indoor

Angelina Shandro’02 BC estimate time 2:56.50

Maya Baechler’05 BC estimate time 2:56.50

1500m

Lucia Stafford’ 98 Ontario personal best 4:05.70 indoor

Melissa Bishop-Nriagu’88 Ontario personal best 4:09.36

Mariah Kelly’91 Ontario personal best 4:09.38

Natalia Hawthorn’95 BC personal best 4:13.65

Let us hope for good weather on Vancouver Island this weekend and some good results.

The 2021 Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic is planned for the June 12th weekend. The 38th edition of Canada’s longest standing track and field meet will focus on preparing our athletes for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, the Rashpal Dhillon Track & Field Oval at the University of British Columbia and the Hillside Stadium in Kamloops.

Meet organizer, Nigel Hole is asking any athlete who may have an interest in competing register their interest by completing this online form.  Please recognize that registering on this online form does not guarantee participation.  

ONLINE FORM LINK:  https://forms.gle/nfQeTYmuxktGWgyH7

The public health regulations are sure to change by June 2021 and organizers are aiming to provide opportunities to athletes aiming to achieve qualification for the Tokyo Olympics.  The final event list inclusion will change as we move forward in these challenging times.

If you are accepted to participate that information will be available on our website near the event dates   www.harryjerome.com