2006

2006

The 23rd annual Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic presented a challenge to athletes, organizers and spectators as unrelenting cold, wet weather blasted Burnaby’s Swangard Stadium. But competition remained fierce as Canada and the People’s Republic of China battled again for the Pacific World Cup.

In 2005, meet organizers held a limited Canada-China dual meet within the larger meet and the concept was so successful the program was expanded for 2006 to feature an 18-event dual meet with both Canada and China fielding national teams. Canada prevailed over China 96-75 while Team Alberta edged Team BC 76-74 as the 2006 event included a provincial dual meet competition. Spectators went away from the meet having witnessed some strong performances despite the weather, including an impressive win by Chinese hurdler Shi Dongpeng in the men’s 110-metre event. Canadian Olympian Angela Whyte won the women’s 100-metre hurdles despite banging her right knee on a hurdle during the race. Canadian 800-metre record holder Diane Cummins outfinished China’s Liu Qing by 27-hundredths of a second to win the two-lap event in 2:04.23. Liu came into the event as the world’s No.1-ranked junior woman over 800 metres and she conceded her Jerome experience will help her quest to qualify for a spot on her country’s Olympic team in 2008.

Canadian men’s 400-metre record holder Tyler Christopher, who joked he was wearing sunglasses to keep the rain out of his eyes, sped to victory in the one-lap sprint. Meantime, Asian record holder Huang Xiaoxiao won the women’s 400-metre hurdles and Vancouver runner Corri Fell finished fourth in a personal best 59.98 seconds. The result earned 18-year-old Fell a trip to the world junior track and field championships in Beijing, where she finished 17th.