Adelaide, Australia; 13 March 2024 – The business end of the 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships has arrived in Adelaide as the race for Paris 2024 heats up, with pole vault world champion Nina Kennedy and Diamond League discus champion Matthew Denny leading a field frenzy, while the nation’s middle-distance debate is settled over 1500m and the blue ribband events are run.
In one of the most anticipated events of the championships, the Men’s 1500m showdown will feature the only two Australian men in history to shatter the 3:30 barrier, national record holder Oliver Hoare (NSW) and Stewart McSweyn (TAS).
The Olympic finalists will meet their match in teenage sensation Cameron Myers (ACT) and Adam Spencer (VIC) who have already nailed the Paris qualifying standard alongside McSweyn, while Jesse Hunt (WA) and Jack Anstey (QLD) add to one of the deepest finals in the history of the championships.
Claiming national silver in 2023 as the underdog and now approaching as one of the favourites, 17-year-old Myers has proved that one year is a long time in athletics:
“It goes to show that if you are healthy and consistent, things happen. I’m looking forward to the final, I think I’m in the best possible spot for me to execute my race. It’s going to take a good close, but you have to be prepared for everything,” Myers said.
The Women’s 1500m will be equally hot, as defending champion Jessica Hull (NSW) clashes with national record holder Linden Hall (VIC) and the in-form Georgia Griffith (VIC). Thursday’s heats gave little away and Hull gave even less post-race, anticipating today’s final to be “a battle”.
Landing herself on top of the world at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Australia’s golden girl Nina Kennedy (WA) is back on track and ready to fire in the Women’s Pole Vault, posting a 4.62m season opener last month.
“I’m taking this approach of every single competition this season is a practice for Paris. I have my goals, I have my expectations and I have my processes – they are just box ticking exercises. I do really want to jump quite high on Saturday,” Kennedy said.
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Reigning Diamond League champion Matthew Denny (QLD) is poised to let loose as he chases Australian title number seven in the Men’s Discus, eager to ramp up his Paris preparations after a championship record of 66.68m in Thursday’s qualifying round.
Australia’s fastest men and women will be crowned at the SA Athletics Stadium as 10.01-second man Rohan Browning (NSW) prepares to steal the show in the Men’s 100m after breezing through the first-round, while Bree Masters (QLD, Ryan Hoffman) posted the fastest time in qualifying for the women in 11.48 (+0.9).
The Para sprint titles will be decided in the 100m Ambulant events, as the white tiger Chad Perris (ACT, T11) gets ready to roar alongside Jaydon Page (ACT, T47) and rising stars Mali Lovell (NSW, T36) and Abby Craswell (QLD, T36) look to bolster their Paralympic campaigns.
Australia’s Olympic finalist trio is bound for the Women’s Javelin, with back-to-back world champion Kelsey-Lee Barber (QLD), World Championships bronze medallist Mackenzie Little (NSW) and Australian record holder Kathryn Mitchell (VIC) ready to fire.
Fresh off a 2.30m clearance in Melbourne last week, Yual Reath (VIC) is ready for takeoff at the SA Athletics Stadium as he builds towards his Olympic dream, taking on reigning champion Joel Baden (VIC) in the Men’s High Jump where Olympic qualification stands at 2.33m.
Ellie Beer (QLD) clocked the fastest time in the Women’s 400m semi-finals in 53.20 to cement her place in tonight’s final, alongside Alanah Yukich (WA), and Victoria’s Mikaela Selaidinakos (VIC). Cooper Sherman (VIC) will lead the charge in the Men’s 400m final, having clocked 46.29 in the semi-finals.
The nation’s rising stars will continue to pave their path to Peru as Delta Amidzovski (NSW) returns to the Australian Championships after shattering Sally Pearson’s Under 18 national 100m Hurdles record last year, while sprint sensation Gout Gout (QLD) will eye the second leg of the Under 20 sprint double after running down the field in 10.48 (+1.1) in the 100m.
Day Three of the 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships will be streamed live and free on Seven’s digital platform, 7plus.
