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When the Olympic flame was extinguished above the Maracanã Stadium in August 2016 the focus of the athletics family shifted to the lighting of a new flame four years later in Tokyo. Sunday night, that focus was put on hold with the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s joint decision to not participate in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the summer of 2020.

For the top Lion’s athletes, the reality that a four-year dream must, at least, be put on hold is certainly emotional. Two time Olympian Melissa Bishop-Nriagu told the Windsor Star, “I cried as soon as I read it, but Osi (Nriagu, her husband) and I took the night and this is so much bigger than what we’re doing right now.”

The consensus among the athletes we heard from was that it was the right decision. Three-time Paralympian Joshua Cassidy was proud of Canada taking the lead on the “best” decision. “I really appreciated the wording and intentions expressed in the release, as well as the COC Chef de Mission, Marnie McBean’s letter,” said Cassidy. “Canada took a strong lead. I believe the world will follow suit.”

The world has indeed followed suit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe announcing today the Games will indeed be postponed for one year. The decision taken by the COC and CPC in conjunction with the today’s announcement from the IOC certainly helps to put athletes’ minds at ease as they were torn between adhering to public health recommendations and trying to prepare to be their best in Tokyo.

“We didn’t know where we stood, if we had to continue training,” said Olympic finalist Farah Jacques to Radio-Canada about her situation prior to Sunday’s announcement. “The decision makes sense in that there was a risk to our health and safety.”

Bishop-Nriagu echoed her teammates sentiments, telling the Windsor Star “It’s not sports or Olympics, it’s life and death and it affects so many countries. I stand by the COC decision.”

Twice a member of Canada’s Olympic 4×100 metre relay team, Oluwasegun Makinde says that he’s supportive of the COC and its decision, “but, of course you train for four years for a special moment that only comes around for four years, so at that time, it’s tough to hear.”

Olympic shot putter Tim Nedow saw Sunday’s announcement as a ‘fait accompli’. “I kind of knew this was coming and there’s not much I can do. We’re all kind of in this together.”

With the wide swath of facility closures in the past two weeks, Nedow had been doing his best to adjust to a new reality. “When all the facilities shut down, it’s kind of hard to get out there and throw. My gym shut down too, like it should be, but luckily I have a little homemade gym right now and can get away with that,” said the Brockville native of his current training situation.

The recent rise in temperature had allowed the 2019 world finalist to get in some outdoor throwing, but Monday’s snowfall was a perfect example of how difficult that can be for this time of year in Ottawa.

“It’s a hard hit, but this is what we do, what we live for, everyday. Being our healthiest, best selves. This decision is in alignment with being our healthiest best selves,” said Joshua Cassidy of the current situation. “We take a breath, we move forward. Adapt. Be ready for what’s next. No matter when the Games are, no matter what each athlete has to deal with personally, now, or in the future… we always aim to be resilient and be ready to be our best.”

The Ottawa Lions Board of Directors would like to inform members they have instituted a new “Policy on Harassment, Abuse and Sexual Misconduct.” The new policy can be found on the Lions website at the following link.

The new policy replaces the previous Ottawa Lions “Policy on Harassment Prevention and Resolution” and is in effect immediately.

Members are also reminded they are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Athletics Ontario and Athletics Canada Codes of Conduct.

Should you have any questions about the new policy, please feel free to reach out to Club President, Nathalie Côté.

To honour International Women’s Week, we want to say thank you to our many women coaches who promote our sport in such a positive manner and model strength, dedication and leadership for tomorrow’s leaders. We appreciate everything you do! We know how hard it is to balance work and family life! The fact that you still find the time to come out and volunteer with our athletes is proof of your superhero powers! Thank you!

One of the newest additions to the Ottawa Lions, Natalie brings a wealth of experience to our clubs young and developing athletes.

Coaching with the Aspire sprinters Natalie has been welcomed immediately and been able to merge into the team easily.

A multiple National Champion in the 400m, World Junior National Team member who has competed in both NCAA and USports makes her position working with our high school aged athletes ideal. Her experience in knowing the demands and commitment required to reach the highest level of our sport as a junior provides some practicality for our younger athletes who will be looking to make decision in the future. Natalie’s excellence in academics (completing her undergrad at Notre Dame, her masters and PhD with the University of Toronto) only adds to her image as a role model on and off the track. As Natalie completes her PhD in the Department of Higher Education of Leadership she continues to seek avenues to share her knowledge and learn from those around her. Her kind and thoughtful personality makes it easy for athletes to connect with her and fellow coaches to interact. It has been a pleasure to have Natalie join our team and look forward to seeing what she brings in the future.

To honour International Women’s Week, we want to say thank you to our many women coaches who promote our sport in such a positive manner and model strength, dedication and leadership for tomorrow’s leaders. We appreciate everything you do! We know how hard it is to balance work and family life! The fact that you still find the time to come out and volunteer with our athletes is proof of your superhero powers! Thank you!

Working with the Aspire distance athletes, Sarya brings some demanding leadership and commitment to the program that has groomed countless athletes to success in high school and prepared them for post-secondary demands.

Moving from British Columbia to attend the University of Ottawa for an undergrad in Conflict Studies Human Rights, Sarya competed for the Gee Gees during an exciting period that saw the women’s cross-country team challenge the best in the country at the National Championships in 2014. Now enrolled in Dual JD/MA International Affairs she continues to be involved with the Gee Gees as an academic mentor which exemplifies the commitments required to excel in school and commitment to the club as an entirety.

Sarya’s ability to manage her academics, mentorship with the Gee Gee’s, coaching and initiative to find other ways to help make her an invaluable leader among our coaches.

To honour International Women’s Week, we want to say thank you to our many women coaches who promote our sport in such a positive manner and model strength, dedication and leadership for tomorrow’s leaders. We appreciate everything you do! We know how hard it is to balance work and family life! The fact that you still find the time to come out and volunteer with our athletes is proof of your superhero powers! Thank you!

One of our youngest coaches has been involved in nearly every aspect of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club.

While Rugby was her main focus in High School her close-knit friends managed to draw her into the club where Rebecca has steadily improved each year as an athlete and leader amongst the Gee Gee varsity team. Recently completing her undergrad at the University of Ottawa and looks to take the next step in her academics. Wrapping up her final year of eligibility with the Gee Gees Rebecca had appearances on the national stage and huge jumps in performance in cross country and the track. While Rebecca is always striving for more in the competitive side of the sport she has been a crucial leader among the Ottawa Lions for a number of years. From camp counselor to manager of the youth programs this past year, Rebecca has been a pleasure for coaches, children and parents to interact with. Her leadership brings her peers together and provides the youth with an energetic positive a role model for the youth of our club to look up to.

As a late starter to our sport Rebecca has been able to bring a positive influence to the grass roots program of the club which continues to lead the next generations love for the sport and continued interest in our programs.

To honour International Women’s Week, we want to say thank you to our many women coaches who promote our sport in such a positive manner and model strength, dedication and leadership for tomorrow’s leaders. We appreciate everything you do! We know how hard it is to balance work and family life! The fact that you still find the time to come out and volunteer with our athletes is proof of your superhero powers! Thank you!

Helen has been with Ottawa Lions for a number of years, first as an athlete, then assisting with the Raven Varsity program and a number of Masters Athletes. Now, working with nearly every program in the in the competitive age groups we are thrilled to celebrate such a devoted Ottawa Lion.

Helen continues to support the club’s athlete’s year in and out with unwavering care and dedication to the athletes. As a successful mid-distance runner (coached by long time Ottawa Lion Ray Elrick) Helen also stands 3rd on the Lions all-time list for the Marathon with a time of 2:49.59. The fierce competitive drive she can bring out at the track or on the cross-country course is also complimented by a very compassionate personality that has been expressed both in coaching and a successful professional career off the track in leadership development.

We thank Helen for being able to translate clear, sound advice to the athletes, providing consistent support for her fellow coaches all year around. Your coaching expertise and compassion that has led to countless memorable performances on and off the track is well known, Thank you.

When the USports Championship came to a close Saturday night, the half dozen women representing the Gee Gees had put on quite a show over the three day event, amassing 23 points and a top 10 finish. The highlight of the Championships was undoubtedly the strong performance of of Madison Clarke, who was responsible for 17 of those points, including a silver in the 600 metres.

The 600 metres was the premier event for the small Gee Gees team as half the team with half the team qualifying for the three lap race. After Sydney Smith’s eighth place finish in qualifying, Clarke and Maeliss Trapeau toed the line in the Butterdome Saturday afternoon in what would turn out to be an near replica of the OUA final from two weeks prior. For the second time in two weeks, Clarke placed second to Guelph’s Jenna Smith and by the exact same 0.04 second differential, as Clarke finished in 1:30.94.

For Trapeau, the results didn’t quite follow the OUA formchart as her finishing position flipped with Guelph’s Sadie Jane-Hickson as the biotechnology student placed fourth in 1:31.19, 11 hundredths behind Jane-Hickson.

Before her success at 600 metres, Clarke ran her way to a new lifetime best of two minutes and 47.05 seconds in Friday night’s 1000 metre final. The performance was good enough for fourth place and trimmed nearly two seconds off previous best set at the OUA Championships.

Clarke put together another top five finish Friday night as part of the 4×800 metre relay. Teamming up with Trapeau, Smith and Marie-Eve Dahms, Clarke and company ran their way to a seasonal best time of nine minutes and 5.46 seconds.

The only other Lion to post a top eight finish was hurdler Leewinchell Jean. The University of Windsor rookie was seventh across the line in the 60 metre hurdle final, stopping the clock at 8.27 seconds.

Other results:

Gee Gees 4x400m relay 9th 3:50.31 (Madison Clarke, Rebecca Brennan, Sydney Smith, Marie-Eve Dahms)

Caroline Poirier Pole Vault 11th 3.50m

Claudine Nafaa Pole Vault 12th 3.50m

Today, we are saying thank you to coach Estwick. Leslie has been a member of the Ottawa Lions for many years and has represented the club in many capacities. From the World Championships to the Commonwealth Games, Leslie has always used her vast experience of athletics to help other athletes and to further the sport. She has served on the Board of Directors of Athletics Ontario, Athletics Canada and the Canadian Olympic Association. She has coached a wide range of events (jumps, hurdles, sprints) and with a wide range of age groups and abilities, never hesitating to lend a hand when one is needed. She always brings reason, insight and knowledge to a conversation. Her love of the sport, her technical knowledge, her ability to lead and her sense of humour have touched many of our young Lions’ lives over the years and we hope will continue for many more to come.

To honor International Women’s Week, we want to say thank you to our many women coaches who promote our sport in such a positive manner and model strength, dedication and leadership for tomorrow’s leaders. We appreciate everything you do! We know how hard it is to balance work and family life! The fact that you still find the time to come out and volunteer with our athletes is proof of your superhero powers! Thank you!

The 40th edition of the Canadian University Track and Field Championships got underway this evening at the University of Alberta’s Butterdome and it most certainly got off on the right foot for the small contingent of Gee Gees competing in Edmonton.

The trio of Madison Clarke, Maeliss Trapeau, and Sydney Smith all walked away with a spot in the 600 metres’ top eight with Clarke and Trapeau both earning an opportunity to race for medals in Saturday’s final. Clarke earned her spot with a victory in the second of two heats, winning in one minute and 30.72 seconds. Clarke executed her race plan to perfection, bidding her time in fourth and then third for most of the race before sling shooting around the final corner past Guelph’s Jenna Smith, who beat Clarke two weeks ago at the OUA Championships.

Trapeau and Smith lined up together in the first heat with Trapeau advancing based on time as she crossed the line in 1:31.98. The third year biotechnology student worked her way from the back of the field into third as the runners hit the bell and held strong in her position through the final lap. For Smith, tonight’s performance of 1:33.98 was the third fastest of her career and represents the Gee Gee’s first point of the Championship with her eighth place overall finish.

In the men’s 600 metres, Sebastian Saville placed 13th overall in 1:22.30 for the Laval Rouge et Or.

Action resumes Friday with Leewinchell Jean first on the track in the men’s 60 metre hurdle heats at 6:45 pm eastern. Also on deck for day two are Madison Clarke (1000m), Caroline Poirier (pole vault) and Clarke, Smith, Trapeau and Marie-Eve Dahms in the 4×800 metres.

Live results can be found at http://www.ellistiming.ca/USports/LiveResults/