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The countdown to the launch of the 2006 Telstra A-series has begun. For many of our top Australian athletes this marks crunch time as they sharpen their spikes in anticipation of selection into the 2006 Commonwealth Games Team in March.
With the Commonwealth Games trials in Sydney (2-5 February) drawing closer by the day and the athletics team yet to be selected, competition will be hot at the Telstra A-series in Canberra on Australia Day (26th January). The men’s 100m and men’s 400m are set to be two of the most keenly contested events leading into the selection trials.
When the gun goes off, top 100m sprinters Patrick Johnson, Josh Ross, Matt Shirvington, Daniel Batman, Adam Miller, Adam Basil, Kris Neofytou and Paul Di Bella will be vying for the three spots available in the Commonwealth Games Team. The pressure is high and there are limited qualifying opportunities remaining, with Patrick Johnson the only athlete to achieve the A qualifying time of 10.21 seconds.
Just as fierce will be the men’s 400m where 2005 world championships finalist John Steffensen will lead his Athens silver medal winning relay teammates in the battle for a spot on the Australian team. The inform Mark Ormrod will take on fellow Silver Bullets Clinton Hill and Patrick Dwyer. Also keen to stay on the heels of the fast men will be newcomer to the event, West Australian Chris Troode. Troode ran an impressive 45.60sec at the National Series meeting at Perry Lakes in December to place himself in contention for Commonwealth Games selection. Again this will be one event not to be missed.
With the athletics season now in full swing, many of the Commonwealth hopefuls – including Patrick Johnson, Josh Ross, Matt Shirvington, Daniel Batman, Clinton Hill, John Steffensen and Mark Ormrod will be in action at the NSW State Open and Under 18 Championships this weekend at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre (13 – 15 January).
Following the NSW Championships the action remains in Sydney for the National Series meeting at Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday 19 January before moving to Canberra for the opening Telstra A-series event.
The Telstra Selection Trials and 84th Australian Athletics Championships (2-5 February), will be the last chance athletes will have to qualify for the 2006 Commonwealth Games as the team will be announced on Tuesday 7 February. This event is expected to see some of the fiercest competition for Australian representative places since the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000.
WHERE AND WHEN TO WATCH:
Friday 13-Sunday 15 January 2006
NSW Championships – Sydney Olympic Park
Thursday 19 January 2006
Sydney Track Classic – National Series Meet – Sydney Olympic Park
Thursday 26th January 2006
Telstra A-Series - Canberra: AIS Athletic Track
Thur - Sun 2-5 February 2006
Telstra Selection Trials and 84th Australian Championships – Sydney Olympic Park
Friday 17 – 19 February 2006
Victorian Championships & Athletics Australia Invitational - Melbourne Cricket Ground
Friday 3rd March
Telstra A-Series – Brisbane: Queensland Sports & Athletics Centre
Thursday 9th March 2006 –
(IAAF World Athletics Tour) Telstra A-Series – Olympic Park, Melbourne
source Athletics Australia |
