Canada’s track season uncertain due to COVID-19 pandemic concerns and provincial health orders

April 26, 2021

Due to health protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian track season is uncertain at this point.

World Athletics Relays

On April 24, the national governing body announced via press release that Canada will not send a team to the World Athletics Relays. Several other countries have also dropped out including the top two, Jamaica, and the U.S. Currently, the pandemic is surging in its third wave through Europe. The meet is scheduled to take place in Chorzow, Poland, from May 1 to 2.

Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Trails

The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Trials that are scheduled for June 24-27 are now in question. However, the meet continues to be anticipated in some fashion. Due to the third wave of the pandemic continuing in the Province of Quebec and the City of Montreal, how the Trials will look is still up in the air. Further announcements are likely ongoing.

The release reads, “As such, Athletics Canada will review the feasibility of the Olympic and Paralympic Trials presented by Bell the week of May 17 and make a further announcement at that time. As a result, the modified format of the Trials, originally scheduled to be released by May 14, and athlete invitations, originally scheduled for distribution the week of May 17, are both being delayed.”

Canadian 10,000m Championships

Additionally, the Canadian 10,000m Championships that are scheduled for June 13 in Burnaby, BC (Vancouver). Provincial health orders are such that Athletics Canada is prepared to remove the championship nature and branding of the event if the orders are not eased. Updates are ongoing.

Tokyo Qualifier Series

Currently, there are no changes to the Tokyo Qualifier Series which begin on May 21 and runs through to June 29. Local and provincial health orders will dictate what happens at each meet.

The series will take place at the following locations: