China to send full team to Harry Jerome

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/voic ... ca487ebd88

Harry Jerome to be a full dual international meet
China to send compliment of national team athletes, including at least one of the country's two Olympic gold medallists

Gary Kingston, Vancouver Sun
Published: Friday, May 05, 2006
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One year after China dipped its track and field toe into Burnaby's Swangard Stadium by literally dipping a pole vault pole into the launch pit -- and clearing a few hurdles -- the 2008 Olympic Summer Games host will return to the Harry Jerome Track Classic with both feet running.
And jumping. And bracing for a javelin throw.
Even president Doug Clement confirmed Thursday that China will send a full complement of national team athletes this year.
That means the battle for the Pacific World Cup will be a full dual international meet, the first for Canada since a 1988 meet in Italy.
Last year's inaugural Pacific World Cup, a byproduct of a historic agreement signed by the Olympic committees from China and Canada, consisted of just a six-event competition within the Jerome meet. Canada outpointed the Chinese 33-20 with the two going head-to-head in the men's 100 and 400 metres, the 4x100 relay and the 110-metre hurdles and the women's 100 metres and pole vault.
For this year's meet June 8, the two countries will compete in 18 different events. Other countries will be represented in the relays and the 1,500 metres.
"Last year, China really just tested the waters with a small team of athletes to see if it was going to work," said Clement. "I think we got a very strong 'yes,' that they liked it. Now, from what I can gather, they are going to be bringing their strongest team. And they're intending to win."
Clement said he hasn't got the full Chinese lineup yet, but expects to see at least one of the country's two gold medallists from the 2004 Olympics. He says Athletics Canada is still in the process of setting its team.
"When the Chinese say you're going to go to Canada, they're no ifs, ands or buts" said Clement. "In our free market system, where we have a little bit of professionalism at the top in track and field, some of our athletes may say 'hey, I can make more money here, there or anywhere.'
"We have $50,000 in prize money and this is an attraction, but whether it's going to attract all our very strongest athletes, I cannot tell you. But that's Athletics Canada issue. They're facing judgment at the end of this on the score. They have a huge incentive to not be embarrassed."
Last year, Olympic hurdler Angela Whyte and top 400-metre runners Gary Reed and Tyler Christopher competed for Canada. Clement said he's hopeful Athletics Canada will bring some big names.
"If we're to promote the sport in Canada, why aren't we having some of our best athletes?"
Martin Goulet, who will be head coach for the Canadian team, said from Montreal on Thursday that Athletics Canada hopes to make some announcements next week.
"It's going to be a good team," he said. "It's not going to be absolutely the A team from A to Z, but it's going to be good enough to have an interesting competition. In some events we'll be in trouble. In some events we'll be very good."
Meantime, Goulet said discussions are underway to take the dual meet to China next year.
"There are lots of details to be discussed . . . but we're looking forward to exposing our best athletes to China before the Olympic Games. Our current group of high performance athletes have no experience there. They understand Europe or Australia, but China and Bejing is for them something new."

In addition to the China-Canada dual meet, the Jerome has added a provincial dual meet with B.C. and Alberta athletes between the ages of 18 and 25 competing in the same events.
"It's a huge opportunitiy for these kids," said Ron Bunting, technical manager for B.C. Athletics. "It has to happen more frequently."

[wurster490]

It would have been nice if some of the Canadians would have been invited to it...