Athletics Canada releases Olympic and Paralympic Trials schedule

Athletics Canada (AC) has released the schedule for the upcoming Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Track and Field Trials. The trials are set to take place in Montreal from June 25 to 27, just days before the Olympic qualification window closes ahead of the Tokyo Games. 

Set a reminder on your phone, circle the dates in your calendar and wrap a string around your finger. We have posted the schedule for the 2021 Olympic and Paralympic Trials presented by Bell, June 25 to 27 in Montreal:https://t.co/vsODryoOoK#ACTrials2021 #EssaisAC2021 pic.twitter.com/TosqBeHhfs

— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) June 1, 2021

Changes to trials 

For a while, the team at AC was unsure whether they would be able to hold the trials at all, but they recently received word from the Quebec and federal governments that they can go ahead with the event. There will be multiple restrictions in place at the event, of course, with the biggest being the lack of spectators.

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For the athletes themselves, they will be asked to social distance at the meet, they will be required to provide proof of a COVID-19 test 72 hours before travelling to Quebec and they will have to take another rapid test upon arrival in Montreal. On top of that, everyone involved in the event must isolate at home for the seven days leading up to the event (although athletes will still be permitted to train). 

In addition to these COVID-19 restrictions and the others listed on the AC website, the qualification criteria at the Olympic Trials have been changed. In past years, an athlete who won their event in Olympic-standard time at the trials automatically booked their spot on Team Canada, but due to travel restrictions, that will not be the case this year. The winners of the events at the trials can still run their way onto the Olympic team, but nothing will be guaranteed. 

The schedule 

The action will start with the women’s 400m hurdles on June 25 at 10 a.m. ET. From there, the event will run through the day until 8:30 p.m. Big runs to watch out for on the first day of racing include the men’s and women’s 100m, both 800m races and the women’s 5,000m. On June 26, the 200m races are set to run, as well as the men’s 5,000m. Finally, on the last day of action, the men’s and women’s 1,500m races will run. 

Regardless of the race, each event at the trials will be drama-filled and exciting, as there will be so much on the line for each athlete competing. Although spectators won’t be permitted in the stadium, all fans will be able to watch the races from home, as AC has said the event will be streamed for free on athleticscanada.tv. 

To see the full schedule for the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Trials, click here.