Canadian Running on Sheila Reid & the Canadian Trials 1500

Canadian Running provides the following perspective on Sheila Reid's chances for an Olympic "A" standard at this week's Canadian Olympic Trials. Two Canadian women -- Nicole Sifuentes and Hilary Stellingwerff -- already have the "A" standard and need only finish in the top three positions at the Trials to punch their tickets to London. Reid beat Stellingwerff into second last summer in winning the 1500 meters at Canadian Nationals. Reid has run the "B" standard twice in recent weeks and, if the commentary below is accurate, is not likely to attain it at the Canadian Trials. If Reid finishes in the top three at the Trials, whether she'll be permitted to chase the "A" standard after the fact remains to be seen.


News
Last-minute dash puts Sifuentes in Olympic position
June 21, 2012

It was by all means a last-ditch effort to get the Olympic “A” standard in the women’s 1500m and Nicole Sifuentes made it count. She and two other Canadian women found a small meet at a San Diego college on Wednesday night, hoping to achieve a fast time before the Olympic Trials next week.

Sifuentes (nee Edwards) of Winnipeg won the race in 4:04.76, a new personal best, and most importantly under the “A” standard of 4:06.00. Sifuentes joins Hilary Stellingwerff as the only Canadians with the “A” standard this season.

Sheila Reid of Newmarket, Ont., and Malindi Elmore of Kelowna, B.C. were also trying for the “A” standard, but fell short. Reid’s time of 4:07.77 was her second “B” standard of the season, while Elmore ran 4:11.62.

The Canadian Olympic Trials are in Calgary, June 27-30. Sifuentes and Stellingwerff just need to finish in the top 3 to secure their spots on the team for London. In order for a third Canadian runner to join them in the event, she would need to make the “A” standard. It’s unlikely that the Trials will produce fast times since the race is at altitude and won’t have any rabbits setting the pace.