Further Information 

Competition Stats

AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS:
800 metres: 2003 (U20) - 1st, 2004 - 8th (heat), 2006 - 8th

1500 metres: 2002 (U20) - 3rd, 2003 (U20) - 1st, 2004 - 9th, 2005 - 10th, 2006 - 8th, 2007 - 5th, 2008 - 1st

INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS:

World Youth Championships: 1500m - 7th (heat)
World University Games - 1500m - 9th

ANNUAL PROGRESSION:
800 metres:
2000  1.51.60
2001  1.50.69
2002  1.50.75
2003  1.49.85
2004  1.49.82
2005  1.50.47
2006  1.50.28
2007  1.49.66

1500 metres:
2001  3.50.50
2002  3.49.35
2003  3.44.30
2004  3:44.16
2005  3:41.46
2006  3:45.43
2007  3:39.09
2008  3:36.21

EVENTS/PERSONAL BESTS:
1500 metres: 3:36.21 - Norway, 06/06/08
800 metres: 1:49.66 - Estonia, 24/07/07

Interesting Facts

Showing his skill in more than one Olympic sport, Mitch competed at a National level in swimming before turning his attention to running.

Sporting Career

Beginning his sporting career as a middle distance swimmer, Mitch showed promise out of the pool at school athletics carnivals.

Born and bred in Brisbane, his ability on the track quickly bettered that of the pool and so he turned his attention to running.  At 16 years of age, his 800m effort of 1.51.60 showed the country there was a new kid who could run.  He was then selected in the Australian team for the 2001 World Youth Championships at Debrecen, Hungary, where he ran seventh in his heat of the 1500m.

In 2002, he won a bronze medal over 1500m at the Australian Under 20 Championships, beating home Commonwealth Games representatives to be, Nick Bromley and Jeremy Roff.  A year later, he took the 800m/1500m double at the same championships, his final year as a junior.  That season he lowered his personal best for the longer event to an impressive 3.44.30 and dipped under 1.50 for the first time over 800m.

Stepping into open territory, Kealey made the 1500m National finals in 2004 and 2005, also becoming a regular starter in A series and National meets.  During 2005, he ventured to Europe to compete and at a 1500m race in Norrtalje, Sweden, he sliced almost three seconds from his previous best, to run 3.41.46 and end the year as the 12th fastest Australian over the competitive distance.

Mitch’s times and results stagnated somewhat in 2006, but he really came of age during a European stint of racing in 2007, culminating in his first sub 3min 40sec clocking of his career in Estonia.  He then placed ninth in the final at the World University Games in Bangkok, before showing his versatility by winning the 5000m at the Australian University Games.

After some tough training at altitude during the 2007/2008 summer, he descended to clock 3.39.70 to set a new Tasmanian Allcomers record at the Briggs Athletics Classic in Hobart.  This was followed up with some great races, including a new personal best at the Sydney Athletics Grand Prix of 3.37.65 and victory at the Australian Championships, his first National crown.

Another quality run in May at the Doha Super Grand Prix was enough to get him in the field for the men’s 1500m at the Oslo Golden League.  The result was a stunning second place and Olympic A qualifier of 3.36.21, earning him nomination to represent Australia at his first Olympics in Beijing.