Nanoose Bay's Mike Mason is aiming to be a four-time Olympian with a trip to Tokyo in July 2021. (Tim Alamenciak/Flickr)

By Dan Marshall

Aiming High

Nanoose high jumper on cusp of fourth Olympic qualification

Jul 4, 2021 | 7:05 AM

NANAIMO — A Nanoose Bay high-jumper is closing on a trip to Tokyo.

Mike Mason took home a second place finish at the Canadian Olympic track and field trials. His successful jump of 2.29 metres didn’t reach the 2.33 standard to guarantee a berth in the Tokyo Olympics, but his ranking of sixth in the world should be enough to earn him a spot in the games in July.

Nanaimo Track and Field Club spokesman Phillip Vannini said he’s seen Mason in training recently and he’s in good form.

“While this year meets have been held all over the world, to travel internationally would have meant subjecting oneself to a long streak of consecutive quarantine periods. As a result, Mike had to settle for local meets. His 2.30 season best (June 12 in Burnaby) is the 11th highest jump in the world this year.”

Mason represented Canada at the Olympic games in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

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His top finish was eighth in London in 2012.

The 34-year-old also achieved a silver medal at the 2015 Pan American Games, bronze at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and gold as a junior at the 2004 IAAF World Championships.

Mason’s accomplishments have served as inspiration for younger athletes with the Nanaimo Track and Field Club.

“Nearly all of our athletes are 18 and younger,” Vannini said. “When they graduate high school, they typically move on to college and therefore change team affiliation. Having Mike as a Senior athlete allows our club to be represented at national championships and on the world stage and it’s something we are extremely proud of.”

Vannini noted Mason has built a close relationship with all the high jumpers at the NTFC, particularly Nate Paris.

“In 2019, when the last youth championship was held, Nate won Nationals in the U16 category. Nate is trained by his dad Marc and Mike regularly checks in with both of them.”

If Mason does get to compete at his fourth Olympics the qualifying round for men’s high jump in Tokyo is July 30.

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dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW