Photo Credit: Christian Martin
Montréal, May 15 2024 – More than ever, La Classique d'athlétisme de Montréal attracts high-level foreign athletes. Australia, France, Guyana, New Zealand, Philippines, Haiti, Jamaica, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Mexico, United States will be represented by at least one athlete on June 21 at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.
For a rare opportunity, Canadian and Québec athletes face international athletes on Québec soil. Confirmed international headliners include Usheoritse Itsekiri of Nigeria, holder of a personal best of 10.02 sec in the 100 meters. The student athlete also holds the Classic record which he won in 10.09 sec in 2022.
The women's and men's 800 meters will also be of excellent quality. Among the women, several athletes aspire to break the two-minute barrier. Hayley Kitching of Australia, with a time of 2:00.70, is currently the favorite. On the men's side, we already have four athletes entered under 1 min.47 sec. The two current favorites are Quamel Prince, from Guyana (1:45.54) and Handal Roban, from St. Vincent & Grenadines (1:45.93).
Charles Philibert-Thiboutot, Audrey Leduc, Jean-Simon Desgagnés, Marie-Éloïse Leclair, Donna Ntambue and Simone Plourde are all on course to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games and will be able to measure their form six days before the Bell Canadian Olympic Trials.
According to meet director Laurent Godbout, two important reasons explain the interest of foreign athletes in the Montreal track and field meet: “The fact we are now being recognized by World Athletics in the Bronze category attracts athletes who are looking for an Olympic standard or world ranking points in their event for qualification to Paris. To obtain this recognition, we had to take a risk and guarantee the La Classique prize money program which was seriously increased, going from $15,000 to $35,000.”
Since its first edition in 2018, the Classic has gained esteem among athletes from outside Québec. Despite constant difficulties attracting a national sponsor, the event operates thanks to the support of generous local sponsors and the support programs of Ville de Montréal and Gouvernement du Québec.
The fever for athletics is growing stronger and stronger as we are already 37 days away from the toughest competition on Québec soil.
You can get your tickets for La Classique now by visiting our website www.classiquemtl.com or on the website www.lepointdevente.com.
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