VANCOUVER - Gary Reed, a Canadian Olympian and national record holder in the men's 800m, will be on hand at the UBC Pre-Jerome Open on June 16 to lead a relay clinic for the elementary school teams and as an honorary starting official for the high school 800m races. The meet begins at 4:00 p.m. at UBC's Rashpal Dhillon Track and Field Oval.
The meet also features the opening ceremonies for the facility and a formal recognition of the Dhillon family's generous contribution towards its creation. Members of the Dhillon family, including Rashpal Dhillon's son, Peter, will be in attendance, as will members of the university, the athletic department, and the community.
Highlighting the competition are the relay races featuring over 70 teams from B.C. elementary schools. Half of those teams are from inner city elementary schools and are competing this week thanks in large part to the organizing efforts of the Guardian Athletics Society.
Since 2007, Guardian Athletics Society has worked with disadvantaged inner city school children by providing coaching services to the kids. Many of the schools the children attend cannot offer track and field programs due to lack of experienced coaches and financial support.
Last year, over 800 kids from seven elementary schools benefited from the program, which included twice weekly training sessions. Kids are taught basic conditioning exercises, as well as specific event skills, like the sprints, throws, jumps, and relays.
Reed, who has helped with this program the last two years, will again be sharing his expertise and love of the sport with kids at this year's UBC Pre-Jerome Open.
His most notable accomplishments include placing 4th in the men's 800m final at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and winning a silver medal at the 2007 IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan. His Canadian record of 1:43.68 was set in Monaco, in July of 2008, just before the Beijing Olympic Games.
-30-
