Canadians attempt to make “A” standard at Harry Jerome International meet

The first stop on the National Track League circuit this weekend could be a crucial one for many track and field athletes hoping to qualify for London.

The Harry Jerome International meet in Burnaby, BC is one of three remaining events on the Canadian track calendar that can be used to make the “A” standard in advance of the Olympic trials in Calgary at the end of June.

No two athletes are feeling the pressure and excitement more right now than men’s 800m runners Geoff Harris and Andrew Ellerton. The Harry Jerome meet will provide the perfect stage for two runners to get under the “A” standard, with a quality international field set to attend. Zambian Prince Mumba will race the event, sporting a 1:46:14 personal best. American Duane Solomon, who has represented his country internationally, will also compete. He carries with him a very formidable 1:45:23 PR. The men’s 800m “A” standard is 1:45.60.

Taylor Milne of Callander, Ont. is putting his money where his mouth is this weekend. After a war of words in a Flagstaff, Az restaurant in April, Milne and Belgian 1500m runner Jeroen D’Hoedt laid down a 1000 dollar bet as to who would run the fastest time in 2012. Milne, who will be going up against American 2011 NCAA and USA champion Matthew Centrowitz at Harry Jerome, hopes to be pulled to the Olympic “A” standard of 3:35.50.

Canadian athletes will have two more chances after this weekend’s meet in Victoria and then Edmonton to make the standard in advance of the Olympic trials.

The Harry Jerome International meet can be seen live on FloTrack.org.