Winnipegger Jane Edstrom measures success as technical official at Rio Olympics

Jane Edstrom may not be competing but she'll still play an important role at the upcoming Summer Olympics.

The Winnipeg track and field official is getting ready to head to Rio, where she will oversee competitions at the Games. She is one of only two Canadian track and field technical officials heading to the country.

"It's pretty exciting. I feel very, very fortunate," Edstrom said on CBC's Information Radio.

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There are only 46 international technical officials for track and field in the world, Edstrom said, and 10 are assigned to the Olympics.

Although she hasn't received her assignments, Edstrom said she could be at the startline for races or even pole vault.

"I started out in the throws shot, discus, javelin, hammer so if there is a favourite, I guess that would be it, because there's an element of safety there, too, and danger," she said.

"But you know, I enjoy all of them."

About 36 years ago, Edstrom said, she became bored of watching track and field, so she picked up a tape measure. Since then, she has travelled the world as an official, but there is something special about being involved in the Olympics.

"I have been really fortunate, and I've attended a number of world championships, so I have experienced a little bit of this," she said. "But of course, the Olympics are only once in four years, so it's the world championships only once in four years."

Edstrom will head to Rio at the beginning of August. The Olympics run Aug. 5-21.

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Jane Edstrom talks about officiating at Rio Olympics

8 years ago

Duration 1:55

The Winnipeg track and field official is getting ready to head to Rio, where she will oversee competitions at the Games. Jane Edstrom is one of only two Canadian track and field technical officials heading to the country.