Posted: June 17, 2005

Athletics: Gill Achieves Francophone and FISU Games Standard At Lafarge Meet

Abbotsford, BC—June 16, 2005—David Gill (Quebec City) turned in the highlight performance of the Lafarge International meet held at Swan Track in Abbotsford on a cool and windy evening that unfortunately followed a warm and sunny day.

Gill chopped almost two seconds off his previous best to win the 800 meters in a sparkling 1:47.85, just 1/100th of a second shy of the stadium record (1:47.84) established by Brandon Rock (USA) in 1996.

Gill was led through a fast 52.6 first lap by Joseph Moise (Haiti) and then over the last 150-meters the winner put on a strong finishing kick that pulled him well clear of the field. Approaching the tape Gill could read his time on the stadium clock and he crossed the finish line with arms raised in jubilation. Moise finished second with a time of 1:48.99.

Two other excellent times were turned in as Adam Steele (USA) won the 400 meters in 46.99. Juan Barrios (Mexico), the defending champion and meet record holder (3:39.50) won the 1500 meters in 3:41.76. Barrios was led through the first 800 meters in 1:57 by 800-meter winner Gill. It looked as if the Mexican runner was going to break his meet record but the wind seemed to take its toll during the last lap.

The closest race of the evening was the women’s 800-meters that saw a number of runners closely bunched at the finish. Samantha George took to early pace before falling back into third place. But over the last 200 meters the Toronto runner put on a good finishing kick to win in 2:06.48 in a closely bunched finish that saw Heather Henniger (Nova Scotia) place second (2:06.89) and Julia Howard NewFoundland) come third (2:06.95).

The athletes seemed to enjoy the hospitality offered by the organizers at a meet that moved quickly. Following the competition many of the athletes and officials attended a social that was complete with ample food and refreshment. “We enjoyed ourselves at this meet was a phrase used by numerous athletes.

Results are avaailable from: international.valleyroyals.org.

Source: Gerry Swan.