The cream of the nation’s talented young athletes have been selected in the Australian team to compete at the 5th IAAF World Youth Championships to be held in Ostrava, Czech Republic from July 11-15, 2007.
The 31-strong team includes 2006 World Junior pole vault bronze medallist Vicky Parnov and 2005 World Youth 200m finalist Olivia Tauro.
Introduced in 1997 by the IAAF, the fifth edition of the IAAF World Youth Championships is open to athletes under the age of 18 - born in 1990, 1991 or 1992.
Athletics Australia selected athletes, who in the opinion of selectors, have a realistic chance of achieving a top eight result at the IAAF World Youth Championships. To be considered for the team, athletes had to achieve two qualifiers in the period commencing August 1, 2006.
The selected athletes performed outstandingly during the Australian All Schools Championships, Australian Youth Olympic Festival, the Telstra A-Series and various other meets throughout the Australian domestic season.
“World Youth selection is a terrific achievement for all athletes selected. It is also a wonderful achievement for each athlete’s family, personal coach, club, school and state. Each of these supporters has helped in their own special way and I am sure all our athletes appreciate their efforts,” applauded Sara Mulkearns, Athletics Australia’s National Youth Performance Manager.
“The World Youth Championships should be the start of many long international careers and we hope many will emulate the likes of Dani Samuels who went from World Youth champion to World Junior champion, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and is now heading to Osaka for her first IAAF World Championships.”
The 1999 World Youth Championships was the international starting point for Jana Rawlinson (nee Pittman) who won the 400m hurdles. Georgie Clarke (800m – 1999), Kimberley Mickle (javelin – 2001) and Sally McLellan (100m hurdles – 2003) have also tasted success at the World Youth Championships - a stepping stone to launch their international athletic careers.
The experience of overseas travel, learning to live in an athlete’s village and dealing with the trials and tribulations of international competition for the first time will be a great learning experience for all selected athletes.
The team will be aiming for as many top eight finishes as possible. Finishing eighth on the medal tally in Marrakesh in 2005, Australia picked up seven medals in total including two gold medals courtesy of Chris Noffke in the long jump and Dani Samuels in the discus.
Australian youth team members will be attending their first training and education camp at the Australian Institute of Sport from April 30 to May 2. This will be followed by a competition-based camp in Sydney from June 23 – 24 before competing on the Gold Coast on July 2 prior to departure for Ostrava on July 5.
ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA’S TEAM FOR
5TH IAAF WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS
OSTRAVA, CZECH REPUBLIC 11-15 JULY 2007
BOYS
800m James Kaan (NSW)
1500m Ryan Gregson (NSW)
110m hurdles Daniel Martin (VIC)
2000m steeplechase Richard Everest (SA)
High jump Josh Heap (QLD), Josh Hall (QLD)
Pole vault Blake Lucas (NSW)
Discus Jamal Idris (NSW)
Javelin Hamish Peacock (TAS), Luke Bissett (VIC)
GIRLS
100m Olivia Tauro (NSW)
200m Olivia Tauro (NSW), Jane Larkin (QLD)
800m Selma Kajan (NSW)
1500m Chloe Tighe (NSW), Melissa Duncan (VIC)
3000m Emily Brichacek (ACT)
100m hurdles Jacinta Doyle (NSW)
400m hurdles Jessie Couch (VIC)
2000m steeplechase Jessica Gilfillan (QLD), Samantha Carberry (VIC)
Medley relay Jane Larkin (QLD), Olivia Tauro (NSW), Jacinta Doyle (NSW), Jessie Couch (VIC)
High jump Trudy Thompson (NSW), Mia MacKinnon (NSW)
Pole vault Vicky Parnov (WA), Rachel Birtles (WA)
Shot put Lomana Fagataui (NSW)
Discus Kimberley Mulhall (VIC), Vika Lolo (NSW)
Triple jump Tahnee Reynolds-Hopkins (WA)
Javelin Bianca Maurer (VIC)
5000km walk Melissa Hayes (NSW), Paige Hooper (SA)
NOTE: Athletes for the girls heptathlon and boys octathlon will be named in the week beginning April 9, 2007
TOUGH ON THE 100 - 10.74/200 - 21.14 & 400m 47.92 GUYS NOT TO BE SELECTED