Posted: June 26, 2007

Athletics: 4 Canadians confirmed for IPC 1500m T54 trials in Windsor

OTTAWA – Athletics Canada is pleased to announce that four Canadians will compete in Windsor, ON on July 7 in the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) 1500 metre wheelchair racing trials. The Trials will select the eight male and female finalists to compete this August in the men’s and women’s 1500 metre wheelchair exhibition demonstration events at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics. Chantal Petitclerc, Diane Roy and Tracey Ferguson will compete in the women’s 1500 metre trials while Michel Fliteau will represent Canada on the men’s side. The Canadian foursome will face challengers from numerous countries like Austria, China, France, Great Britain, Japan, Mexico and the United States. The World Championships take place August 20 to September 2 in Osaka, Japan. The wheelchair exhibition events take place the first of September. Canada has a storied history of excellent results in previous IAAF wheelchair exhibition events. In1987, Dianne Rakiecki of BC, won the gold in the 800 metre. In 1991 in Tokyo, Chantal Petitclerc won the bronze and captured silver in 1995. More recently Diane Roy captured the silver at the 2003 IAAF Championships in Paris. The 1500 metre trials will take place during the Boiling Point Wheelchair Track Classic, an elite international competition. The men’s 1500 metre semi-finals are slated to begin at 6:35pm with the women’s semis at 6:47pm. Follow this link to view the full schedule of the Boiling Point Wheelchair Track Classic. The Boiling Point will be preceded by an Enhanced Athletics Development Meet (EADM) in the afternoon. The EADM is an all comer’s type of competition to give racing opportunities to younger athletes and introduce new athletes to the sport of wheelchair racing. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest