Last week, Athletics Canada nominated 57 athletes, as well as 31 coaches and support personnel to represent Canada at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. But they won’t be the only Canadians on the field of play at the Games this summer.
Four Canadian athletics officials are also putting in the hard work to assume the responsibility refereeing Olympic and Paralympic events.
Those officials include Jane Edstrom (Secretary of the Jury) and Daniel Michaud (Race Walk Judge) who will be working at the Olympic Games from July 29 to Aug. 6. A few weeks later, David Weicker and Louise Buskas will step into their roles as International Technical Officials for the Paralympic Games from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5.
We are all familiar with stories of the years of commitment and hard work our Olympic and Paralympic athletes put in to achieve their competitive dreams. Officials have a similar path to working the biggest events in the world. They too are inspired by a love of the sport and spend years of training until they become international leaders in their field.
“I was spotted as a spectator at the shot circle, a tape measure was placed in my hand and I never stopped after that,” said Edstrom. “I like being close to the competition and athletes. The thrill and danger of the throwing events attracted me. I am a physical educator, so I come by directing and volunteering, honestly.”
“I like to say that, in a former life, I was a sprinter,” said Buskas (pictured). “Watching the Olympics growing up, athletics was always the event to watch. To me, the other sports were kind of like filler. When the Alberta Summer Games came to Wetaskiwin in 1993, I became involved in athletics and was given the opportunity to officiate and I have been hooked ever since.”
“I was a former athlete and I wanted to give back to my sport,” said Weicker, who has officiated at three World Championships, two Parapan American Games and will work his second consecutive Paralympic Games. “It will certainly be different but seeing all my colleagues and all the athletes again will be great.”
The road to Tokyo doesn’t end with the invitation to work at the Games. Especially this year, when there have been so few competitions to officiate around the world, our officials still need to be prepared to enforce the rules of the sport in real time, with perhaps less practice than they are used to.
“Due to COVID, the protocols and restrictions are extensive,” said Edstrom. “I am attempting to ensure that I have fulfilled all the hoops that are requested to jump through. There is the usual review of the rulebook as well.”
“I will be reviewing the rule book, every moment I can, as opposed to my usual three or four times for an international competition, Canadian Championship or having the book with me for a provincial level meet,” said Buskas.
“I’m just trying to stay healthy and giving or participating in as much online learning as possible to stay up with the rules,” Weicker agreed. “We cannot attend many events as officials this year.”
Though an official is always an unbiased observer, the experience of working at world-class events like the Olympic and Paralympic Games is special, and the memories last a lifetime.
“At the Rio Olympics, I ran into Derek Drouin just after he received his gold medal,” said Edstrom. “He was sitting in the collecting area all alone and I was able to congratulate him in person and have an up close view of his newly attained medal.”
“Being the track referee in Rio was especially nice, as it is the main position on the track and one which I particularly enjoy,” said Weicker.
“At the 2019 Para World Juniors, the medal ceremonies area was next to the event I was officiating,” said Buskas. “It was the first time I heard the Canadian anthem played at an international competition.”
