Recently, Athletics Canada announced that they would not be sending a team to the u20 Pan Am Championships scheduled to take place in Chile late October. This news was a major disappointment to some, including my young relative who was hoping to make this team after missing out on the World u20 Championships.

It was said that a team would not be sent, "mainly due to the date of the event". The date of the event was moved back to accommodate for COVID safety measures, not to later be used as a reason to not send a team. It is understandable that u20 athletes would be in school at the time of the event but that obstacle can always be worked around as to fit this into their schedules. Many other things in life have been pushed back due to COVID, this is just another event that has been pushed back as well. That does not mean it should be cancelled for Canadian athletes.

Although the u20 age group already had a chance to compete internationally, many athletes including my relative skimmed the marks required to make world u20s. I believe many other athletes were looking to make this team after not making the other.

Young athletes have been denied many opportunities at a prime time in their athletic carriers due to COVID. Don't deny them this one too. Don't cut any more of their chances. Send a team to Pan Am u20s.