Victoria held the first outdoor event of 2021 in Canada for our athletes seeking qualification for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics yesterday. These “Winter Games” at the University of Victoria opened the door for a myriad of local events with limited event focus, small number of participants and no one in the stands. The lower mainland of British Columbia has the earliest spring weather with over a dozen sanctioned events in the next 2 months as our athletes on the bubble drive towards qualification standards.

Toronto’s Lucia Stafford came to closest with her personal outdoor best in the 1500m of 4:06.86 just over 2 seconds shy of the Olympic standard.  Melissa Bishop-Nriagu equalled her personal best in the 1500m on her determined comeback. Nate Riech and Liam Stanley opened the 2021 Para Athletics season with world leading marks in the T38 and T37 1500m.

Maddy Kelly of Toronto won the 1000m in 2:40.19 short of her indoor best.  Maya Baechler set the U18 Canadian record in the 1000m with her 2:50.12 breaking the 2015 mark of MacKenzie Gladue’98 of 3:11.17.

Many of these results move into the top 10 of the 2021 World List

1000m women

Maddy Kelly’95 2:40.19 (1101 WA points)

Laurence Cote’91 2:41.85 (1080 WA points)

Maya Baechler’05 2:50.12 (1976 WA points)

Olivia Romaniw’95 2:51.19 (963 WA points)

1500m women

Lucia Stafford’ 98 4:06.86  (1151 WA points)

Melissa Bishop-Nriagu’88 4:09.36 (1131 WA points)

Mariah Kelly’91 4:15.19 (1086 WA points)

1500 men ParaAthletics

Nate Riech‘95 3:52.56 T38 World Record

Liam Stanley’97 4:08.31 T37

2000m Steeplechase

John Gay 5:34.29 (1085 WA points)

Full results here https://www.viccity-elite.com/race-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

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