The 2016 Hershey Canadian Indoor Championships take place February 19 to 21 in Montreal, Que. The meet serves as a national championship for youth and junior age category athletes, the event also features competition from Canada’s national team athletes in Open and Invitational events. For more information and to register visit www.indoors.athletics.local
Canadian Olympians Phylicia George of Markham, Ont., and Nikkita Holder of Pickering, Ont., will take part in a special invitational women’s 60-metre hurdles at the 2016 Hershey Indoor Championships. The two Canadians will face a talented international field on the evening of February 20 at Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard.
The pair both competed at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and are now both forging distinct paths with high hopes for Olympic glory in Rio.
After the 2015 season Phylicia George relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and joined a talented group of sprint hurdlers including fellow Olympian Lolo Jones and Jasmin Stowers, who was second fastest in the world last season in the 100-metre hurdles.
About the transition and her early season training, George said “It’s going really well. They embraced me with open arms and I feel like I am working well with Coach Shaver. I’m excited for 2016.”
For George, training and racing in the indoor track season provides the opportunity to work on her rhythm and technique that will translate to success outdoors. With the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Portland this March, the sixth place finisher at the London Olympics is excited about the opportunity to run fast in Montreal.
For Nikkita Holder, success in 2015 wasn’t totally expected.
“After the birth of my son I had some time away from the sport. In 2015, I surprised myself,” said Holder. Last season Holder earned a spot on the podium at the Pan Am Games and returned to the IAAF World Championships. “It felt great to win a Pan Am bronze medal in front of the home crowd in Toronto, but I’m not satisfied. I want to be in that Olympic final in Rio and make a name for myself,” said Holder.
Holder is looking forward to the Hershey Canadian Indoor Championships and has fond memories of competing in Quebec. “My first international team was in Sherbrooke, Quebec. I competed at the 2003 IAAF World Youth Championships. I remember meeting Bolt before he was Bolt, and had a great time representing Canada.”
After opening up the season with an 8.10, Holder has achieved the standard to race this March at the IAAF World Indoor Championships. “Indoor competition is a great opportunity to work on my technique and get things dialled in so I can have a great outdoor season. I am really excited to compete in Montreal and later at the IAAF World Indoors. They are both great events to help me prepare on the way to Rio,” said Holder.
One more athlete will be named to the field of the invitational women’s 60-metre hurdles, as well, the winner of the Open women’s 60-metre hurdles will advance to the international section.
Invitational women’s 60-metre hurdles
Name, Country, Personal Best
Nikkita Holder, Canada, 8.00
Phylicia George, Canada, 8.03
Lavonne Idlette, Dominican Republic, 8.13
Bridgette Owens, United States, 7.88
Morgan Snow, United States, 8.07
Christina Manning, United States, 7.91
1 more invitational athlete to be named
Winner of Open competition
