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AYOF athletics action kicks off in Sydney today
The Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) athletics competition gets underway this afternoon at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre with an array of talented athletes on display.
In all, over 1500 athletes from 31 nations are expected to compete in the 17 sports on the program.
Considered to be a key stepping stone for junior athletes to reach the Olympic Games, Sean Wroe, Dani Samuels and Olympic medallists Sally McLellan and Jared Tallent are amongst a number of senior elite athletes who have left their mark on the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.
For the three Australian teams who will be competing – green, gold and orange, many athletes will be looking to reach the qualifying standards for the IAAF World Youth Championships to be held in Sudtirol, Italy in July.
Australia already has number athletes qualified for this event and team managers are hopeful more youngsters can add their name to the list.
Highlights of day one will see two very promising Australian hurdlers in action with Ryan Tysoe and Rosie Lawson contesting the sprint hurdle competitions.
Elsewhere, New Zealand’s Phillipa Symes will headline the women’s 100m event and Samoan born Oceania competitor Margaret Satupai will be a strong contender in the women’s shot put.
China has brought a very young team over to Australia but has high expectations for their athletes. Xu Huiqin will contest the women’s pole vault today and is looking strong for the event with a PB of 3.60m.
One athlete that will be sure to attract the attention of both media and spectators tonight is exciting prospect, javelin thrower Luanga Andria.
A Sudanese refugee who came to Australia eight years ago, Luanga has impressed not only Athletics Australia team officials but also Brisbane Broncos development officers.
The Queensland athlete has been training with the Brisbane Broncos for the last couple of years and will be a strong force in the men’s event this evening.
The two-day competition begins at 3.30pm this afternoon and concludes at 7.00pm tomorrow night.
For live results, please click here
For further information, please visit the Australian Youth Olympic Festival website – www.olympics.com.au
With thanks to Lloyd Green for the AOC
Green| Alex Kelaart VIC 400m/relays |
| Alex Pocklington VIC Pole vault |
| Andrew Emservana WA 100m/200m/relays |
| Ashleigh Whittaker VIC 100m/relays |
| Ben Talakai NSW Discus throw |
| Blake Steele SA Walks |
| Brooke Stratton VIC Long jump/Triple jump/relays |
| Callan Rauchfuss VIC Triple jump |
| Cath van der Walt WA 1500m/relays |
| Chloe Parker QLD 800m/relays |
| Claire Cuttler VIC 200m/relays |
| Damien Birkenhead VIC Shot put/Hammer throw |
| Gabi Simpson NSW 100h/400h/relays |
| James Oberin VIC 400h/relays |
| James Vine VIC 110h/relays |
| Jessica Gilfillan QLD 3000m/steeplechase |
| Jordan Nelson VIC steeplechase |
| Jordan Williamsz VIC 800m/1500m/relays |
| Josh Johnson NSW 3000m/relays |
| Kurt Jenner NSW Long jump/relays |
| Lara Neilson QLD Shot put/Hammer throw |
| Paige Hooper SA Walks |
| Rian Suter QLD Javelin throw |
| Samantha Fenwick WA Javelin throw |
| Shani Sleeman NSW High jump |
| Taryn Gollshewski QLD Discus throw |
| Thomas Madson ACT High jump |
| Tim Pappas VIC Pole vault |
| Zoe Riikonen QLD 400m/relays |
| Team Manager: Tara Millgate |
| Coach - jumps: Alex Stewart |
| Coach - sprints/hurdles/relays: Leana Tilley |
| Coach - throws: Evan Peacock |
| Coach - distance/walks: Nicky Frey |
Orange
| Alex Rowe VIC 800m/relays |
| Brydee Clarke NSW Discus throw/Shot put |
| Caitlin Sargent QLD 200m/400m/relays |
| Carly Rodger NSW 100h/relays |
| Chris Wittkopp QLD Triple jump |
| Dane Bird-Smith QLD Walks/relays |
| David Schalch QLD 200m/relays |
| Denise Snyder VIC High jump |
| Dimitri Tourmozos SA Pole vault |
| Elise Abood QLD 800m/relays |
| Grant Gwynne QLD Steeplechase |
| Harrison Clarke QLD High jump |
| Huw Peacock TAS Hammer throw |
| Kade Jennings QLD Long jump/relays |
| Kane Grimster VIC 1500m/3000m |
| Karli Morton NSW 100m/relays |
| Liam Speers NSW Discus throw/Shot put |
| Lisa Celi NSW 400h/relays |
| Matthew Bailey QLD 400m/relays |
| Megan Horne NSW Javelin throw |
| Melissa Prior NSW Hammer throw |
| Mitch Tysoe NSW 100m/110h/relays |
| Natalie Dudkowski QLD 3000m/steeplechase |
| Rebecca Marchant VIC Pole vault/relay |
| Rory Williams QLD 400h/relays |
| Seamus Hegarty QLD Javelin throw |
| Shannon Jennings NSW Walk |
| Sophie Greig ACT 1500m/relays |
| Tara Whitehead QLD Long jump/Triple jump |
| Team Manager: Leanne Smith |
| Coach - jumps: Taryn Neville |
| Coach - sprints/hurdles/relays: Luke Donatini |
| Coach - throws: Karyne Di Marco |
| Coach - distance/walks: Adam Bishop |
Gold
| Alex Beck QLD 200m/400m/relays |
| Alison Severino NSW Javelin throw |
| Alix Kennedy NSW Discus throw |
| Amy Pejkovic NSW High jump |
| Andrew Neville NSW Long jump/High jump/relays |
| Bronte Gange VIC 800m/relays |
| Cameron Hyde NSW 110h/relays |
| Damien Hart NSW Triple jump |
| Danielle Byrnes VIC Shot put |
| Sophie Lichooudaris VIC Pole vault |
| Erin Guy NSW Long jump/relays |
| Ethan Heywood WA 3000m/steeplechase |
| James Connor NSW 1500m/relays |
| Felicity Black VIC 400h/relays |
| Kate McEachen QLD Hammer throw |
| Kertisha Thompson QLD Triple jump |
| Kirstie Goznick SA Walks |
| Catherine Brennan VIC 100m/relays |
| Luanga Andria QLD Javelin throw |
| Melissa McKinnon QLD 200m/400m/relays |
| Michael Todd NSW 800m/relays |
| Mitch Felsman QLD 100m/relays |
| Nicholas Kelly SA Pole vault |
| Nikki Hiscock QLD 1500m/3000m/relays |
| Raheen Williams WA 400h/relays |
| Robert Johnson QLD Hammer throw |
| Robyn Bennett QLD Steeplechase |
| Rosana Lawson QLD 100h/relays |
| Sean Fitzsimons WA Walk |
| William Sacilotto NSW Discus throw/Shot put |
| Team Manager: Helen Roberts |
| Coach - jumps: Ben King |
| Coach - sprints/hurdles/relays: Sharon Carson |
| Coach - throws: Breanne Clement |
| Coach - distance/walks: Toby Medlin |
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