Posted: July 8, 2004

Athletics: Crunch time at 2004 Canada Dry Canadian Track and Field Championships July 9-11 in Victoria

July 6, 2004 OTTAWA - OTTAWA-World champion hurdler Perdita Felicien of Pickering, Ont., and high jumping ace Mark Boswell of Brampton, Ont., are among several athletes looking to solidify their spots on Canada’s Olympic team at the 2004 Canada Dry Canadian Track and Field Championships and Olympic Trials July 9-11 in Victoria.

Leading into the competition, 17 Canadians have met all the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) required standards to make the Olympic team. To officially clinch a spot the majority need a top-four finish in their respective events this weekend.

Felicien and Angela Whyte of Edmonton have met the required standards in the 100 hurdles while rising star Priscilla Lopes of Whitby, Ont., hopes to secure an Olympic berth by meeting a final standard at trials. Canada can send a maximum three athletes per event to the Games.

‘’My season has been going great so far, beyond belief,’’ said Lopes, second at the NCAA championships this fall in 12.64 seconds. ‘’To have three entries in the women’s 100 hurdles at the Olympics would be amazing for Canada. I’ve learned anything is possible if you put your mind to it.’’

Also with the required COC standards on the women’s side, are Courtney Babcock of Chatham, Ont., and Émilie Mondor of Mascouche, Que., in the 5,000; Carmen Douma-Hussar of Kingston, Ont., and Malindi Elmore of Kelowna, B.C., in the 1,500; Diane Cummins of Victoria in the 800; Dana Ellis of Kitchener, Ont., and Stephanie McCann of Surrey, B.C., in the pole vault and Jennifer Joyce of Richmond, B.C., will be looking for one more final standard in the hammer throw.

On the men’s side, those with all the COC standards are Boswell, Gary Reed of Kamloops, B.C., and Achraf Tadili of Montreal in the 800; Nicolas Macrozonaris of Laval Que., in the 100; Kevin Sullivan of Brantford, Ont., in the 1,500; Brad Snyder of Windsor, Ont., in the shot put and Jason Tunks of London, Ont., in the discus. Canada should also qualify for the 4X100 relay.

Tim Berrett of Edmonton, who has officially completed all selection requirements in the 50 kilometre walk, is also scheduled to compete at nationals.

There are several other events to watch according to Alex Gardiner, head coach of the Canadian national team.

‘’The men’s 100 is totally undecided,’’ said Gardiner. ‘’It could come down to a photo finish which includes Nicolas, Pierre Browne (of Mississauga, Ont.) and Anson Henry (of Toronto). And in the men’s 800, Achraf and Gary could feel the heat from Nathan Brannen (of Cambridge, Ont.) , Andrew Ellerton (of Sudbury, Ont.)and Zach Whitmarsh (of Victoria) who have all run 1:46 this year which is closing in on the A standard. Those should be some great races for the men.’’

Gardiner hopes to book tickets to Athens for about 25 athletes when the team is officially nominated to the COC for selection on Monday July 12. The announcement of team nominees takes place on July 12 at the RBC Breakfast of Champions from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Coast Harbourside Hotel in Victoria. Media are invited to attend the breakfast.

A pre-championship “Media Morning,” including the unveiling of the team’s new NIKE high-tech competition uniform for Athens, will take place at the University of Victoria Stadium on Thursday, July 8th, beginning at 10 am.