2001

2001

The world track and field championships were slated for Edmonton later in the summer, meaning the Jerome meet would have special significance for athletes looking to qualify for the event. Canadian record holder Shane Niemi of Kamloops, looking to put behind him a disappointing 2000 season where he failed to qualify for the Sydney Olympics, sped to an impressive 45.52-second victory in the 400 metres.

In the men’s 1,500 metres, Canada’s Kevin Sullivan was edged at the finish by veteran Mexican David Galvan while another Mexican runner, Maria Dulce Rodriguez, edged local favourite Leah Pells in the women’s 1,500-metre event. Veteran sprinter Bruny Surin of Montreal cruised to a 10.26-second victory in the men’s 100 metres with wunderkind Nicolas Macrozonaris, a surprise qualifier for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, finishing fifth.