Athletics Canada announces nine-meet domestic series in advance of Tokyo 2020
Athletics Canada Tokyo Qualifier Series

March 18, 2021

OTTAWA – Athletics Canada announced today its Athletics Canada Tokyo Qualifier Series that will offer high-level competitive opportunities on home soil for its high performance athletes and Olympic/Paralympic hopefuls. Prize money will be available to the top-placing individuals at most meets, in addition to travel and Integrated Support Team support.
 
The nine meets, which will take place in four provinces and in 10 cities across the country, will offer athletes the opportunity to achieve the Olympic or Paralympic qualification standard and to gain valuable world rankings points.
 
“With more than half of our National Team athletes based in Canada, and spots on Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic teams on the line, we felt it was our responsibility to offer a series of quality domestic competitions,” said Simon Nathan, Athletics Canada’s High Performance Director. “Our athletes, including medal hopefuls, were facing a significant challenge knowing where to compete without crossing the border to the United States or boarding a flight to compete internationally – and having to quarantine upon arrival and return. We are thankful that our Provincial Branches, clubs and some of Canada’s most experienced meet directors stepped up to offer a great series of meetings, to provide our athletes with high-quality competition options right here in Canada.”
 
The first meet will get underway on Friday, May 21, in Ottawa and the series will wrap-up with a World Athletics Continental Tour - Bronze level meet in Montreal on Tuesday, June 29, the final day of qualifying for the Olympic Games. Athletics Canada, along with each local organizing committee, is working diligently with local and provincial health units to ensure the safety of its athletes, staff, coaches and volunteers at each meet. However, we may have to adjust or cancel plans if public health recommendations require us to do so, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Athletes and coaches looking to register for one or more of the meets listed below are asked to visit the individual meet website or to contact the meet director. Please note, para athletes competing in para ambulatory events are encouraged to register for their event, and they will be seeded in the appropriate heat/flight.
 
The Athletics Canada Tokyo Qualifier Series will unfold as follows:

Date: May 21-22
Event / Meet Category: Ottawa HP Weekend / National Permit Meeting (Category E)
Venue / Location: Terry Fox Athletic Facility / Ottawa, Ont.
 
Date: May 29
Event / Meet Category: Johnny Loaring Classic / National Permit Meeting (Category E)
Venue / Location: University of Windsor Stadium / Windsor, Ont.
 
Date: June 2
Event / Meet Category: Ontario High Performance Series – Toronto / National Permit Meeting (Category E)
Venue / Location: Toronto Track & Field Centre / Toronto, Ont.
 
Date: June 5
Event / Meet Category: Royal City Inferno Track & Field Festival / NACAC Area Permit (Category D)
Venue / Location: Alumni Stadium / Guelph, Ont. (Throws: TBD)
 
Date: June 5
Event / Meet Category: Kamloops Throws Festival / National Permit Meeting (Category E)
Venue / Location: Tournament Capital Centre / Kamloops, B.C.
 
Date: June 9
Event / Meet Category: Victoria Track Classic / NACAC Area Permit (Category D)
Venue / Location: Centennial Stadium / Victoria, B.C. (Field events: TBD)
 
Date: June 12
Event / Meet Category: Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic / NACAC Area Permit (Category D)
Venue / Location:
Track events: Swangard Stadium / Burnaby, B.C.
Throws (except the javelin throw): Tournament Capital Centre / Kamloops, B.C.
Jumps (plus the javelin throw): University of British Columbia / Vancouver, B.C.
 
Date: June 13
Event / Meet Category: 2021 CALTAF Classic / National Permit Meeting (Category E)
Venue / Location: Foothills Athletics Park / Calgary, Alta.
 
Date: June 29
Event / Meet Category: La Classique d’Athlétisme de Montréal présente par Boutique Courir / World Athletics Continental Tour – Bronze (Category C)
Venue / Location: Complexe Claude-Robillard / Montreal, Que.

For complete event details, please visit athletics.ca.