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The coronavirus omicron variant has caused the cancellation of the Harry Jerome Indoor Games track meet that was scheduled for February 5th at the Richmond Oval (Vancouver, BC).
Achilles international Track and Field Society’s president Marek Jedrzejek stated today, “Achilles Society and Richmond Kajaks have no choice but to cancel the 2022 Jerome Indoor Games planned for Feb. 4.” This is in response to the Dec. 17th revision of British Columbian public health rules which prohibit athletic competitions for weeks to come.

Provincial Health Minister Dr. Bonnie Henry told the media during a press conference that the new regulations are in place until Jan. 31. Five days would not be enough time for the organizers to put the meet together.
Various other races are likely not going to happen including the Harriers Pioneer 8K and Cobble Hill 10K on Vancouver Island. As the new variant spreads it is difficult to tell what other events will be postponed or cancelled altogether.
For the Jerome meet it would have been the 11th annual, however, the 2021 edition was also cancelled due to the coronavirus.
The Jerome Indoor Games honours 1964 Olympic 100m medallist, Harry Jerome, while providing competition for athletes from youth to seniors for the past decade. Achilles International Track and Field Society is planning the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Classic set for Tuesday, June 14th at Swangard Stadium. The non-profit volunteer society is hoping that public health rules will allow the event to proceed with safety to all.
Measures will extend to Jan. 31, 2022, at 11:59 p.m., and include:
- limiting indoor, personal gatherings, including in rental and vacation properties to the household/residents plus 10 individuals, or one additional household maximum if all are aged 12 and older are fully vaccinated;
- requiring the BC Vaccine Card for organized events of all sizes and ensuring the QR code is scanned at events;
- seating requirements and restricting movement between tables at food and liquor-serving premises, and reinforcing the need to wear masks when not seated;
- limiting venues of 1,000 individuals or more to 50% of the seated capacity with reinforced masking requirements and scanning of the BC Vaccine Card QR code;
- pausing all sports tournaments while the order is in effect; and
- all New Year’s Eve organized gatherings and events will be restricted to being seated-only events, with no mingling or dancing allowed.
Read the new requirements here>>