Vancouver’s Patty Loverock was a strong competitor on the National Track Team throughout the 1970’s setting numerous Canadian sprint records, and capturing several international sprint and relay medals.

Patty Loverock joined the Vancouver Olympic Club in 1969, developing as a sprinter under the guidance of her coach, John Freeman. She soon proved to be successful both as an individual competitor and as a relay team member, when, one year later, Patty won her first Canadian Senior Championship. That same year, she brought home a bronze medal from the 1970 Commonwealth Games as part of the 4x100m relay team.

Over the next eight years, Patty won medals at numerous national and international competitions. She competed at the inaugural IAAF World Cup of track and field, coming in fourth in the 4x100m relay. Patty placed in the 4x100m relay at two Pacific Conference Games (silver, 1973; bronze, 1977), and sprinted to a bronze in the 100m at the 1975 World Student Games. Representing Canada at the 1975 Pan American Games, Patty captured silver in the 100m and a bronze as a part of the relay team.

At the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Patty competed in the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay. She advanced to the semi-final rounds in both the 100m and 200m, setting a new Canadian record for each event. And, with Patty running the second leg, the relay team finished fourth, and set a Commonwealth record with a time of 43:17.

In 1977, Patty was the only Canadian track athlete chosen to compete as a member of the “Pacific” team, which was composed of athletes from Canada, Cuba, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Patty capped her competitive career in 1978 by setting a world indoor record for the 60 yard dash at College Park, Maryland, with a time of 6:78. She retired from competition following her silver medal win in the relay at the ’78 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton.