Jerome Classic on the fast track
NEW LOOK: Canadian sprinters go head to head with China in return to refurbished Swangard Stadium
The Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic has a new format to go with its new running surface.
Meet organizers announced Wednesday that this year’s meet will feature a 10-event sprinter showcase featuring teams from Canada and China as its main event at the newly refurbished Swangard Stadium on June 26-27. In total, 22 events will be contested over two days.
The Canadian and Chinese teams will be composed of 20 competitors, split evenly between men and women. The two 100-metre and two 4x400-metre relays go on the first day, while the 200-metre, 400-metre and 4x100-metre relays for both men and women are highlights of the second day.
Teams for what’s being dubbed the Canada-China Sprint Challenge are expected to be announced in April. Meet organizer Doug Clement is obviously hoping for Andre De Grasse to headline the Canadian squad. He took part in the Jerome last summer, when it moved to Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam due to the makeover at Swangard.
The team with the highest score over the two-day meet receives the Pacific World Cup.
Clement is hoping to sell out both days, attracting in the neighbourhood of 10,000 fans combined. And he’d like to see an atmosphere similar to what’s happened with at the Canada Sevens Rugby at B.C. Place.
“We’re going to encourage people to wear their colours,” said Clement. “We want to try to catch some of that same entertainment experience. Those choosing to get behind China wear red and yellow, and those getting behind Canada wear the red and the white. We want to get that fun element into it.
“It’s never been done quite like this before, focusing on one event like the sprints. But we’ve got the history. We’ve got the sprinters. They do, as well. It’s going to be a great contest. I think it could be very exciting.
“I think the team dimension and the Pacific World Cup adds another dimension, where there’s a clear winner and a clear loser. I think we can help each other get better in the world.”
The renovation of the track, according to a November 2017 press release from City of Burnaby, cost $950,000.
“We have no hesitation in believing that this will be an extremely fast track,” said Clement. “To be honest with you, we were in Coquitlam last year not only because of the track being changed, but (De Grasse) said, ‘I won’t run on that track anymore (at Swangard).’ Now, we have a brand new track, people are going to be excited.”
Clement also said that Sebastian Coe, president of the International Association of Athletics Federations, is pushing for track and field to be more like tennis, with rankings based on head-to-head showdowns.
“It’s not going to be only time. It’s how are you doing head to head. And this event is going to do that,” said Clement.
Get tickets at harryjerome.com.