Athletics at the Ontario Summer Games
Athletics has been part of every Ontario Summer Games since the event began. It includes a wide range of track and field events, from short sprints to throws and jumps. It also integrates para-athletics and wheelchair racing as official parts of the competition.
The program is supported by Athletics Ontario, which handles technical rules, officiating, and athlete selection. All Ontario track and field events follow national competition standards and take place in professionally managed facilities.
Sport Overview
Athletes are grouped by age. Here’s how the categories are divided:
- U14: Born in 2011 or 2012
- U16: Born in 2009 or 2010
- Para: Open age categories based on classification
How the Competition Works
- Zone selection meets: These are held in spring and are mandatory. Athletes must attend the meet in their home zone.
- Eight zones: Ontario is divided into 8 zones. Each sends a team of about 34 athletes (17 male, 17 female, including para-athletes).
- Team staff: Each zone is led by a team of coaches and managers who support athletes from registration to race day.
Competition Format: What to Expect
The athletics events at the Ontario Summer Games run for two full days. Here’s what you’ll see:
Running Events:
- Short races: 80m (U14), 100m, 150m (U14), 200m, 300m
- Middle distances: 800m, 1200m, 2000m
- Hurdles: 80m, 100m, 200m, 300m
- Steeplechase: 1500m (races with water jumps)
- Race walks: 800m (U14), 1500m (U16)
Jumping and Throwing:
- Jumps: Long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault
- Throws: Shot put, discus, javelin, hammer
Combined Events:
- Tetrathlon (U14): Four different events
- Pentathlon (U16): Five different events
Team Races:
- 4×100m relays
- 4×800m relays
- Sprint medleys (mixed distance relays)
Para Events:
- Wheelchair races (100m to 400m)
- Running events for athletes with different abilities
The athletics schedule and results usually include heats followed by finals, especially in sprints, hurdles, and relays. In jumping and throwing, athletes usually get six tries, with the best one counting. At the 2024 Games, many events had over 20 athletes trying for just 8 spots in finals.
Recent Venues & Facilities
Athletics at the Ontario Summer Games takes place at proper, well-prepared venues.
2024 Games: Western Alumni Stadium (London)
In 2024, the events were held at Western Alumni Stadium in London. This stadium had a newly resurfaced 8-lane track, modern areas for jumping and throwing events, and electronic timing for accurate results. The quality of the stadium helped athletes do better: results in 39 events were stronger than in 2022.
2022 Games: St. Marcellinus Secondary School
The 2022 competition used a school track that was okay but not as good as the 2024 university stadium.
2026 Games: Waterloo Region (Coming Up)
The 2026 events will likely use tracks at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. Waterloo Region is hosting again after 24 years, as they last hosted in 2002.
Athletic Performance: 2022 vs. 2024
A comparison of performances between the 2022 and 2024 Ontario Summer Games reveals impressive developments in Ontario’s youth athletics:
Sprint Events:
| Event | 2022 Winner & Time | 2024 Winner & Time | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Girls 80m U14 | Siena Barbini – 10.67s | Bianka MacMillan – 10.38s | 0.29s faster |
| Boys 80m U14 | Anthony Phinn – 10.40s | Xavier Sauer – 9.65s | 0.75s faster |
| Girls 100m U16 | Shadae Thompson – 12.53s | Crystal Akerele – 12.03s | 0.50s faster |
| Boys 100m U16 | Dominik Bahadur – 11.38s | Andre Bell – 10.86s | 0.52s faster |
| Boys 200m U16 | Dominik Bahadur – 22.47s | Samacki Thomas – 22.03s | 0.44s faster |
Middle Distance:
| Event | 2022 Winner & Time | 2024 Winner & Time | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boys 800m U14 | Pathuman Ambikaipathan – 2:21.91 | Dean Sher – 2:16.20 | 5.71s faster |
| Girls 800m U16 | Gabriella Ruggeri – 2:13.77 | Kiana Charest – 2:12.73 | 1.04s faster |
| Boys 800m U16 | Xavier Gordon – 2:06.19 | Pathuman Ambikaipathan – 2:00.11 | 6.08s faster |
Field Events:
| Event | 2022 Winner & Mark | 2024 Winner & Mark | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Girls High Jump U16 | Rachel Maas – 1.55m | Frances Vollett – 1.61m | 0.06m higher |
| Girls Long Jump U16 | Kyjiah Slowley – 4.86m | Lebisa Paranitharan – 5.24m | 0.38m longer |
| Boys Shot Put U16 | Aakaash Prabu – 12.96m | Landon Middleton – 13.70m | 0.74m farther |
| Boys Discus U16 | Owen Miloje – 42.88m | Raine Bradley – 51.65m | 8.77m farther |
| Girls Hammer U16 | Emma Negri – 42.11m | Tara Gharehcheloo – 46.28m | 4.17m farther |
The Ontario Summer Games 2024 track and field competitions in London saw record-breaking results across multiple age groups and events. Many athletes ran faster, especially in sprints and hurdles. The new track at Western Alumni Stadium probably helped them get these improved results.
Top Performances from 2024
The 2024 Games in London featured some great young athletes:
- Bianka MacMillan (Capital) dominated Girls U14 with gold in both 80m (10.38s) and 80m hurdles (12.25s).
- Xavier Sauer (Bluewater) impressed in Boys U14 with a blazing 9.65s in the 80m dash and 5.48m in the long jump.
- Kiana Charest (Northern Lights) swept middle-distance in Girls U16, winning 800m, 1200m, and 2000m.
- Samacki Thomas (The Falls) established himself as the fastest U16 boy with victories in both 100m (10.89s) and 200m (22.03s)
- Raine Bradley (Northern Lights) dominated Boys U16 throws with a massive 51.65m discus.
In the para events, Jayden Grein (Bluewater), Erik Kuchemann (Peninsula), and Lauren Redwood (North Shore) delivered standout performances across wheelchair and ambulatory classifications.
The relay events created particular excitement, with North Shore’s boys 1600m Sprint Medley team clocking 3:46.26 and The Falls’ girls team winning in 4:22.35.
What’s Coming in 2026
The 2026 Games will take place in the Waterloo Region, likely between July 30 and August 1, 2026 (tentative). These Games are expected to welcome:
- Up to 4,000 participants
- Over 24 sports, including Athletics
- Multiple venues in Waterloo, Kitchener, and Cambridge
Local organizations will work closely with Athletics Ontario to set up the competition, prepare venues, and manage the athlete experience.
Organizers are focused on creating a legacy for the region. According to Allister Scorgie, Director of Sport Hosting at Explore Waterloo Region,
“It’s been 23 years since the last Ontario Summer Games were held here… we look forward to welcoming the province.”
Athletics Qualification Process
Athletes looking to compete in athletics at the Ontario Summer Games follow these steps:
- Register with Athletics Ontario – Athletes must be members to enter the selection process.
- Meet performance standards – While benchmarks vary by event and age, performances must be competitive at the provincial level.
- Compete at zone selection meets – Typically held in May or June of the Games year. Ontario is divided into eight zones, and athletes must compete within their home zone.
- Team selection – Around 34 athletes per zone are chosen based on meet results and overall potential.
- Para-athletes – Selection is based on classification-specific standards using systems like RAZA scoring to ensure fair comparisons.
Athletics Ontario oversees this selection process, ensuring fair opportunity while maintaining high-performance standards. The qualification pathway identifies talented athletes from across the province while providing balanced regional representation.
If you want to take part in future Ontario Summer Games, start by joining an Athletics Ontario club. Athletes must register through Athletics Ontario and take part in their Zone Selection Meet, usually held in spring.Check their official website for upcoming dates, rules, and registration info. It’s the best place for parents, coaches, and young athletes to stay up to date.