Geoff Martinson received the call he was waiting for all summer Wednesday.
After weeks of nervous anticipation, Martinson learned he qualified for the IAAF World Championship in Daegu, South Korea from Aug. 27 to Sept. 4 as a Canadian Rising Star.
It will be the fourth time the aspiring Canadian Olympian will represent his home country, having previous worn red and white at the world youth meet, World University Games and NACAC meet.
The product of Prince George began his running career -- he competes in middle and long distance competitions -- when he qualified for the B.C. Summer Games and then joined the Prince George Track and Field Club. After a stellar five-year track career at the University of Victoria, Martinson turned his focus to fulfilling his Olympic dream.
He trains at the Canadian Sport Centre Pacific in Victoria with coach Wynn Gmitroski.
Martinson leaves for Korea on Sunday where he'll take part in a 10-day camp prior to the competition.
His first event is the 1,500-metre preliminary race on Aug. 30 (Korea time), with the semifinals and finals on Sept. 1 and 3, respectively. Martinson's personal best in the 1,500-metre distance is 3:37.56.
