News
Ten out of Ten for athletics this summer
The stars of Australian and international athletics will be showcased on television screens across Australia on Network Ten this summer, after Athletics Australia announced a new broadcast deal today.
Athletics Australia is also pleased to announce that Australia’s best athletes and a host of soon-to-be-announced international stars will compete for their share of a massive A$310,000 prize purse this Australian athletics season.
The prize package is highlighted by a $250,000 booty offered up across the Sydney Track Classic and the World Athletics Tour Melbourne meet in 2009.
Australia’s athletes will also have an added incentive of an A$10,000 bonus for an Australian record breaking performance.
The Network Ten partnership coincides with their coverage of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.
Network Ten will televise a 60-minute highlights program from the Sydney Track Classic and World Athletics Tour Melbourne on the weekend following each event.
The Sydney Track Classic program will go to air on March 8, and the World Athletics Tour Melbourne meet on March 15.
"It's exciting that athletics will reach a new and broader audience on Network Ten," said Athletics Australia CEO Danny Corcoran.
“In the lead up to the 2010 Commonwealth Games, sports fans will be able to get behind our athletes and support them through to Delhi.”
The Network Ten announcement follows the conclusion of a seven-year partnership with SBS.
“The partnership with SBS has been great for the sport,” continued Corcoran.
“Their coverage of the Osaka World Championships in 2007 was outstanding and brought world class athletics into Australia in our time zone.
“SBS' support of our domestic season has also been second to none, giving athletics exposure on free to air television.
“Strategic changes and opportunities for both organisations have led to this change which will see athletics on Network Ten this March."
SBS will continue to broadcast major IAAF meets in 2009 including the World Cross Country Championships, World Youth Championships, World Athletics Final, World Half Marathon and the World Championships in Berlin.
The 2009 Australian athletics season kicks off in Hobart next Friday, 30 January.
2009 Australian athletics season
| Friday, 30 January
| Briggs Athletics Classic | Hobart, TAS |
| Saturday, 7 February | Australia Cup | Brisbane, QLD
|
| Saturday, 28 February | Sydney Track Classic | Sydney, NSW
|
| Thursday, 5 March | Melbourne World Athletics Tour | Melbourne, VIC
|
| Saturday, 7 March | Australian 20km Road Walking Championships
| Melbourne, VIC |
| Thurs, 19 – Sat, 21 March | Selection Trials & 87th Australian Championships | Brisbane, QLD |
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