Since the last update on the Olympic and Paralympic Trials presented by Bell (scheduled for June 24-27 at Complex Claude Robillard in Montreal), Athletics Canada has been working on the COVID-19 Protocol and Health Measures for the event in coordination with the public health authorities from the Province of Quebec and the City of Montreal.
The response from the public health authorities has been positive, and a strong plan has been established to allow safe delivery of a modified Trials event if pandemic conditions improve. Athletics Canada is keenly aware, however, that most of Canada is engulfed in a strong third wave of COVID-19 including variants of concern. With that comes several necessary restrictions to keep Canadians safe, including limiting inter-provincial (and in some provinces intra-provincial) travel. We could not hold the Olympic and Paralympic Trials presented by Bell if they were to take place right now.
As such, Athletics Canada will review the feasibility of the Olympic and Paralympic Trials presented by Bell the week of May 17 and make a further announcement at that time. As a result, the modified format of the Trials, originally scheduled to be released by May 14, and athlete invitations, originally scheduled for distribution the week of May 17, are both being delayed.
Canadian 10,000m Championships
Athletics Canada is reviewing Olympic Trials and Canadian Championship status for the 10,000-metre event slated for June 13 in Burnaby, B.C. Current British Columbia provincial health orders restrict participating athletes to British Columbia residents. Olympic Trials and Canadian Championship status will be removed if the current order is not lifted before the event. If status is removed, Athletics Canada will look at alternative scenarios, a further update on the June 13 event will be made in the coming weeks.
Tokyo Qualifier Series
At this time there have been no changes to the Tokyo Qualifier Series, slated to begin in Ottawa on May 21-22. Having said that, Ontario’s stay at home order, which runs through May 20, will most likely impact the start of the series. Local public health restrictions will dictate participant eligibility for certain events. Athletics Canada continues to work with meet directors to host these events to give Canadian athletes every opportunity to qualify for the Olympic and Paralympic Games while ensuring their health and safety.
- Ottawa HP Weekend, Ottawa, Ont., May 21-22
- Johnny Loaring Classic, Windsor, Ont, May 29
- Ontario High Performance Series, Toronto, Ont., June 2
- Royal City Inferno Track & Field Festival, Guelph, Ont., June 5
- Kamloops Throws Festival, Kamloops, B.C., June 5
- Victoria Track Classic, Victoria, B.C., June 9
- Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic, Burnaby, B.C. June 12
- Caltaf Classic, Calgary, Alta., June 13
- Classique d’Athlétisme de Montréal, Montréal, Que., June 29
