Olympic track team to be named in Windsor
By Michal Tellos
Lance Sports Editor
June 18, 2008
 The University of Windsor will be hosting much more than just the 2008 Canadian Olympic Trials in early July, they’ll be hosting the announcement of who will be selected for the 2008 Canadian Olympic team.
The University of Windsor, jointly with the Windsor Legion Track and Field Club, will host the 2008 Canadian Olympic Trials at the St. Denis Centre, from July 3-6.
Dennis Fairall, head coach of Lancers track and field, is the co-chair of the organizing committee for the event. He has been working closely with the head of the Windsor Legion Track and Field Club, Darryl Snyder.
“It has to be hosted by a track and field club and the university,” explained Fairall, who has been meeting with his committee at least once a month for the last year.
The selection process has been a long journey for Fairall and his peers, and it dates back to the successful hosting of the Pan-Am Juniors a few years ago.
“We bid for it two years – 2007-2008, knowing that 2008 would be the Olympic Trials. So we were selected as the host from five different cities to host the Championships. Right after the Pan-Am Juniors, which was held here successfully, we knew we were going to be in line for a few key events,” said Fairall.
The University of Windsor also hosted the first ever Canadian integrated track and field event, meaning that its participants were both disabled and able-bodied. This successful event won the track and field department two prestigious awards, the National Tourism Society’s Canadian Sport Event of the Year, and the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance Prestige Award.
An event on so grand a scale will undoubtedly boost publicity for the university, and for the city itself.
“Not often do we get CBC (the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) coming in here doing or covering an event, so we’re getting national and international exposure from this event. It’s very important for the City of Windsor and the university. The fact that it is held right at the University of Windsor is an honour, and we’re getting great publicity out of this,” said Fairall.
The event’s results will also draw much attention from media and fans alike.
“On the Monday, following the event, on July 7, they’re having a press conference, and they will actually announce the Olympic team in Windsor,” explained Fairall.
Although global stars such as Perdita Felicien, Mark Boswell, and Kevin Sullivan will be present, there will also be a few more familiar faces. Nearly 20 former or present Lancers will compete in the trials, and among the most likely of these to move on are former Windsor stars Ryan McKenzie and Jamie Adjetey-Nelson.
“I think they both have outside shots at the standard. They’re going to have to make the standard probably ahead of time, but you know I think they should both be on the medal podium, which would be great,” explained Fairall.
In order to proceed to the Olympics, an athlete must not only perform an event at the Olympic standard, but make it to the medal podium as well.
The event will take place from Thursday through Sunday, July 3-6, at the St. Denis Centre off campus. A student, faculty, or staff pass for all four days is priced at $20, and can be purchased via telephone, (519) 253-3000 ext. 2477.
For more information, feel free to visit www.canadiantrials.ca.
|
