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The 2017 Harry Jerome Track Classic – the premier track meet in Canada – will feature two of the best track athletes in the world, who also happen to be Canadians.
One of the world’s premiere 800-metre runners is Eganville, Ontario’s Melissa Bishop.
She owns the Canadian record of 1:57.02, which she set during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. She earned a silver medal during the 2015 Beijing IAAF World Track and Field Championships. Bishop was just the third Canadian all-time to dip below the two-minute barrier behind former national record holders Charmaine Crooks and Diane Cummins.
Bishop continues to dedicate her performances to her ailing Coach Dennis Fairall, who she is very close to. Fairall started coaching her during her varsity career with the University of Windsor Lancers.
She is a two-time Olympian.
Andre De Grasse of Scarborough, Ontario is currently Canada’s fastest sprinter and Usain Bolt’s heir apparent.
De Grasse became a marketing coup of sorts when he and Bolt had what appeared to be a TV bromance during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games – a friendly rivalry that the sport badly needed in the wake of many doping positives and debates and questions about female gender.
De Grasse won three medals in Rio in the 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m relay. Canada has been missing a sprint sensation since the days of Bruny Surin, Donovan Bailey, Glenroy Gilbert and Robert Esmie.
De Grasse enjoys racing at home. “This is a chance for me to run at home in Canada in front of my fans, which is 
something that I don’t often get a chance to do,” he said.
Both athletes are preparing for the IAAF World Championships in London. They both expect to reach the podium.
The Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic takes place on Wednesday, June 28th at Coquitlam’s Percy Perry Stadium. Gates: 5:30 pm.
Tickets sales are going fast.
Percy Perry Track is just an eight-minute walk from Evergreen Extension Lafarge Lake – Douglas Skytrain Station.
