32 Canadians Qualify for IAAF World Championships in Moscow

Athletics Canada has released the official list of Canadian qualifiers for the 2013 IAAF World Championships team. A total of 32 athletes punched their tickets to Moscow for the Aug. 10-18 event – 18 men and 14 women. The selection is based on a combination of achieved standards and a top-3 placing at this past weekend’s Canadian Track & Field Championships in Moncton, N.B.

Cam Levins of Black Creek, B.C., dominated the 5000m final in Moncton to seal up his spot at the worlds. In the men’s 10,000m, St. Catharines, Ont.’s Mohammed Ahmed also easily won his race at the nationals to ensure a trip to Russia.

Three men will represent Canada in the 3000m steeplechase at the worlds, as Oshawa, Ont.’s Matt Hughes, Lac-aux-Sables, Que.’s Alex Genest and Chris Winter of Vancouver all qualified after a thrilling final in Moncton.

No Canadian women qualified in the long-distance events, but there will be strong representation in middle distance, with Newmarket, Ont.’s Sheila Reid, Nicole Sifuentes of Winnipeg and Kate Van Buskirk of Brampton, Ont. all making it through for the 1500m, and Melissa Bishop of Eganville, Ont. securing a spot in the 800m.