Achilles Foundation

The Achilles group was founded in 1964 with a mandate to provide international level competition for Canadian athletes before they reached the Olympic arena. Dr Doug Clement and a host of other coaches in Greater Vancouver staged the first of the Achilles International meets and Empire Stadium for Canadian Olympians including Harry Jerome before they flew to the Tokyo Games that year. And the following year saw many international Olympic competing here - including double gold medalist Peter Snell of New Zealand.

The Achilles Group also staged an annual indoor meet at the Coliseum throughout the 60's and 70's. In 1984 they inaugurated the Sun Run- the first of the now renowned 10km run through the streets of our city. After the 1982 untimely death of Harry Jerome, the Achilles annual outdoor meet was renamed in his honor and this year's meet will be the 25th Annual celebration of his excellence and commitment. With Doug Clement at the helm, Achilles has continued to meet its founding mandate of providing first rate international competition for Canadian Athletes, while fostering growth at the grassroots level with its new initiative "Seeking Harry, Seeking Valerie" which provides opportunities to youth in Vancouver to train for and compete in track and field.

For more information on the Harry Jerome Foundation please click here.