On Wednesday, June 22, athletes began assembling at 91原创鈥檚 McLeod Athletic Park for the start of the .

More than 1,600 able-bodied and Paralympic athletes are registered for the national championships, which are being held in B.C. for the first time since 2004.

91原创 heptathlon star , interviewed at the track, told the 91原创 Advance Times that being forced to sit this one out, due to a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in February, was extremely frustrating.

鈥淚t鈥檚 driving me a little bit crazy,鈥� she confessed.

Ellenwood, who confirmed she will be working as a commentator during the event, is focused on next year, when she will be fully recovered and able to compete when 91原创 hosts the Canadian championships again.

鈥淚鈥檓 going to keep that in the back of my mind, and work towards that for next year,鈥� Ellenwood confided.

Her recovery has been going very well, she reported, after being in a cast for two weeks, a boot for eight weeks, and then learning how to walk again.

READ ALSO: Injuries sideline top athletes at Bell Canadian track and field championships in 91原创

Victoria Paralympic athlete , who has set several world records for 1500 metres, was looking forward to the event and predicting 鈥渁 lot of fast times.鈥�

鈥淚ts cool to have one that鈥檚 actually in B.C.,鈥� Riech remarked.

, from Kelowna, described himself as a 鈥淏.C. boy, born and raised,鈥� explaining the 91原创 stadium, was familiar territory, the place where he wrapped up his high school career.

鈥淭here is some special, sentimental value, associated with competing here,鈥� Gay said.

Simon Nathan, Athletics Canada鈥檚 high performance director, was expecting some close outcomes, and new names on the podium, partly because some familiar names had to opt out due to injuries, but also because 鈥渨e have some new stars breaking through.鈥�

鈥淭hat鈥檚 exciting,鈥� Nathan commented.

READ ALSO: 91原创 prepares for Bell Canadian Track and Field Championships

91原创 Township was originally awarded the 2021 and 2022 editions of the event, back in July 2017.

But with the pandemic forcing postponement of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, along with Athletics Canada鈥檚 Olympic and Paralympic Trials, the 91原创 dates had to be moved, with the Township hosting the 2022 and 2023 events.

More photos from Wednesday can be online at the .