Excited about heading into the field again

Windsor Park

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This article was published 17/07/2024 (804 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jane Edstrom is preparing to pack her bags for her latest Olympic adventure.

The Windsor Park resident will be officiating track and field events at the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, which run from July 26 to Aug. 11.

No stranger to the international track and field arena, the 69-year-old former phys-ed teacher has officiated at events around the globe, including the Rio 2016 Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was held in 2021 in unprecedented circumstances due to the pandemic.

“I’m feeling good. I’m excited for this one,” Edstrom said, noting that the experience in Japan was, at times, unusual — not least because of the lack of spectators in the stands owing to COVID-19 restrictions and protocols in place at the time.

“Japan did an amazing job considering the conditions we were under — we each had a 72-page document, just in the COVID protocols. It was an insurmountable task, and they really stepped up to the plate and did a great job.”

Classified as a gold referee — formerly known as an international technical official (ITO) — Edstrom will be involved with the athletics meet at the games — those events begin Aug. 1.

The southeast Winnipeg resident doesn’t yet know her assignment but said she hopes to be involved with field events, but could also be a track referee, or even a video referee.

She said technological advances means there are now cameras placed at locations all around the stadiums, including in the pole vault crossbar and high jump crossbar.

“Part of it is dealing with contentious decisions, which could involve a foot fault. Since Rio, we’ve advanced, and there are now two video referees, which provides great support when you’re out in the field,” Edstrom said.

Edstrom is looking forward to experiencing the French capital — the walking and marathon routes will include some notable landmarks, she said — and she doesn’t necessarily have specific preferences, as “it’s all part of the experience.”

“I guess I’d lean towards the field events, but there’s also nothing like watching track events, even the 10,000 metres. It’s still amazing, across the board, to watch world-class athletes perform at such a level,” she said, whether it’s Canadians such as sprinter Andre De Grasse, decathlete Damian Warner, pole vaulter Alysha Newman or shot putter Sarah Mitton.

The unique vantage points in which officials find themselves, means they’ll be spotted during televised coverage from time to time, although they try and position themselves out of view as much as possible.

“The officials are not the show,” Edstrom said. “The athletes are the performers, and we’re there to provide the stage for them.”

When asked what makes a good track and field official, one or two things came to mind for Edstrom, who said she feels fortunate to have spent her career in the physical education field.

“You have to have a good basic knowledge of the rules and, significantly, how they are applied. Also, people skills are huge. If an athlete or coach is disgruntled, we have to try and remain calm to defuse the situation,” Edstrom said.

“You also have to be able to think on your feet. It’s kind of like being a high school principal, as you don’t know what could happen when you turn up on any given day. Importantly, you have to have the welfare of all of the athletes in mind.”