Some of Canada’s top young athletes will be making their name at McLeod Athletic Park this weekend.
More than 1,000 of these future Olympians, ages 12-17, have made the cut into the Legion National Youth Track and Field championships, being held Aug. 9-11.
The event, which has been held since the First World War under a variety of titles, has been hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion and Athletics Canada under its current name since 1977.
This is the only national event of its kind for athletes of this age group, and the competition is intense.
“It’s very tough, they have to meet high standards and they strive to beat the records and their own personal bests,” said Sharel Fraser, event co-ordinator.
“They’ve worked all year to go from one level to another level to another level and this is the ultimate level — this is the biggest one.”
In fact, two thirds of Canadian athletes that medal in the Olympics had their start at the Legion championships, and every Canadian medalist in the 1984 Olympic Games were Legion championships alumni.
“We’re proud that it all starts here,” Fraser said.
There are two different groups of athletes that participate — The Legion athletes, who sign up under the Legion program and go through special training courses — and open athletes, who participate under their independent track and field clubs.
Each year, putting on an event of this magnitude costs the Royal Canadian Legion more than $600,000 — money which its members must fundraise themselves.
But the payoff makes its worthwhile.
While the games are held in Langley this year and in 2014, it will generate $12.2 million in sports revenue.
It will also give the athletes exposure to scouts from Athletics Canada and Universities and could propel their careers to the professional level.
“The young people are so thrilled to have this experience and to meet people that they wouldn’t otherwise meet from across the country,” Fraser said.
“They’re here competing among each other and it’s fun to watch.”
While the event is important for the sports community, it also has a very deep ties with the veteran community.
Because the Royal Canadian Legion is the sponsor, they also organize special commemorative events for their Legion athletes to participate in.
This year, the athletes will attend a special ceremony to dedicate a tree to the Langley Youth for the Fallen at the Derek Doubleday Arboretum. The trees commemorate soldiers who have fallen in Afghanistan.
They will also hold a candlelight tribute to Canadian veterans during the closing ceremonies.
“When the young athletes are involved with veterans it adds a whole different aspect to competitive sports,” Fraser said.
“It’s not part of the normal things they get involved in. When you see these young athletes get involved with the veterans it’s really something.
“And the veterans are so proud to have sponsored this event for so many decades. It’s a passing of the torch of remembrance.
“It’s very moving to see the interaction between the athletes and the veterans.”
For more information on the event, and to connect with participating athletes, visit www.yo.ca, follow them on Twitter @Young_Olympians, or check out their Facebook page “The Young Olympians.”
