ATHLETICS Australia is set to base our national squad in Asia prior to next year’s world championships in Japan and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
With high humidity and stifling heat expected for the world titles in Osaka and for the Olympics, Australian officials have begun ensuring our track and field stars have the best possible preparation.
“It’s something we’re looking to do as we want our team getting a taste of what to expect in Japan and China,” Athletics Australia chief Danny Corcoran said.
“We know two things are for certain in Osaka and Beijing and that is it will be hot and humid. So we are looking to hold special camps somewhere in Asia in the lead-up to the world titles and the Games.”
Corcoran has made it a priority to forge stronger ties with China in the build-up to the Olympics.
Australia will send a squad to the world junior titles in Beijing in August and next month an under-23 team will compete in a series of Chinese grand prix meetings.
Athletics Australia couldn’t have been happier with the team’s performance at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games but Corcoran realises Beijing and London in 2012 will be the real tests.
Athletics Australia has also been instrumental in a bid by Brisbane for the 2011 world championships.
Brisbane is vying to host the biggest track and field event outside the Olympics with Moscow and Madrid and an American city yet to be determined. Corcoran says the sport’s powerbrokers have been impressed with Australia’s ability to host major meets.
