Olympic medal hopeful Dylan Armstrong doesn’t disappoint with victory at Harry Jerome meet

An event that used to draw only passing notice was the focus of attention Sunday at the Harry Jerome International Track Classic.

A crowd of around 800 jammed into a corner of Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C., to watch the shot putt competition. The man most people came to see didn't disappoint as Dylan Armstrong, the Canadian record holder and an Olympic Games medal favourite, won with a throw of 21.24 metres.

"I'm very happy with that,'' said Armstrong, who has criss-crossed the ocean on a hectic schedule that saw him finish second in a Samsung Diamond League meet in Oslo, Norway, on Thursday.

"Being consistent is one of my big things. I am tired. To throw over 21 metres, considering what I've been through the last two weeks, I feel like I'm right on track.''

Armstrong, a native of Kamloops, B.C., is a big figure in the world of shot putt and it's not just because of his six-foot-four, 345-pound build. He finished fourth at the Beijing Games, about a finger nail short of the podium. The 31-year-old is the defending Diamond League champion, holds the Canadian record of 22.21 metres, and heads to London this summer with a legitimate shot at winning a medal.

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At track competitions the shot putt usually is overshadowed by marque events like the sprints and hurdles. But on Sunday fans, some who had never watched shot putt live before, jockeyed for the best position. Other people pressed up against a fence surrounding the park. There were shouts of encouragement when ever Armstrong entered the throwing circle. The thud of the shot landing in the sand produced cheers and clapping.

The fame Armstrong has gained, especially in Europe, hasn't diminished his humility. After his victory he was surrounded by excited children and many smiling parents. Armstrong patiently signed autographs, the pen looking like a piece of straw in his massive hands, and posed for pictures.

Some athletes give the impression spending a small amount of time with fans can be a giant pain. For Armstrong it was a highlight of his day.

"We are humble guys, most of us anyway,'' he laughed when asked to compare the lumbering throwers to the high-strung sprint stars.

"I'm not looking for fame or glory or anything like that. I throw because I love to throw. To give back like this, and let the kids see me throw and all the other guys up close, it's awesome.''

Armstrong spends almost as much time flying as he does training. Over the last several weeks he travelled from Arizona to the Caymen Islands to Daegu, South Korean to Shanghai, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. There's also been stops in Eugene, Ore., a brief stint at his home in Kamloops, and the trip to Norway.

"Sometimes I literally don't know where I am,'' Armstrong said. "It's part of the game.''

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Considering his schedule, Armstrong didn't need to compete at the Harry Jerome meet. He did it partly because he likes to throw. More importantly, he attended because of his respect for Diane and Doug Clement, the driving force behind the meet.

"Without them, none of this would have been possible,'' Armstrong said. "I love coming to this meet and will continue to do so.

"It's awesome to have this meet. This is what it's about, bringing it home like this, letting everyone see (the sport) in front of them