Posted: September 26, 2006

Athletics: Athletics Canada to send team to 2007 World X-Country Championships

September 26th 2006 - After further consideration Chief High Performance Officer, Martin Goulet, announced today that Athletics Canada will participate to the 2007 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, Kenya. The decision was re-visited, taking into account a number of factors, including the upcoming appointment of the Cross-Country Running Coordinator. With the input and direction of the new Coordinator, Athletics Canada will conduct a thorough analysis of the discipline and how it fits into the overall sustainable International Podium Bound success plan. Athletes interested in competing in Mombassa should be aware of the following facts: enya is in a time zone 8 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time Travel time will be well over 24 hours with several stops Malaria is endemic in Kenya, with other potential diseases ideally requiring several vaccinations beginning 6 months ahead of departure time Average daily temperature is 30 degree Celsius (91 Fahrenheit) with elevated humidity A self-funded event, athletes may be required to contribute in the neighbourhood of $4,000 to attend the Championships A full medical advisory will be published in the coming weeks; as well Athletics Canada will ensure that a physician travels with the team. Canada will also be participating in the 2007 NACAC Cross-Country Championships on March 10th in Clermont, Florida. The focus will be on the NACAC event, given the Long Term Athlete Development model and that the championships offer a suitable alternative for the vast majority of our athletes. Following are the selection pools from which athletes could be selected to teams for the IAAF World Cross-Country Championships and NACAC Cross-Country Championships: World Cross-Country Selection Pool •Junior Women & Junior Men: Top 12 eligible at 2006 Cross-Country Nationals •Senior Women: Top 12 eligible at 2006 Cross-Country Nationals •Senior Men: Top 16 eligible at 2006 Cross-Country Nationals NACAC Cross-Country Selection Pool •Junior Women & Junior Men: Top 16 eligible at 2006 Cross-Country Nationals •Senior Women: Top 24 eligible at 2006 Cross-Country Nationals •Senior Men: Top 24 eligible at 2006 Cross-Country Nationals Full selection criteria will be published and distributed, for more information please contact: Scott MacDonald National Teams Director Athletics Canada smacdonald@athletics.ca 613-260-5580 ext. 3306

Comment on this story.

Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest