08.07.2009

Bressanone marks official start to world youth event

Australia’s 22 world youth championships representatives have today attended the official team lunch and opening ceremony of the sixth edition of the IAAF event, all set to get under way in Bressanone, Italy, on Wednesday.

The world youth team was joined by visiting coaches and family at today’s lunch, which for the Australian athletes marked the official commencement of the world youth track and field titles.

Announced at the function was the team leadership group that will front the Australian contingent in action in Bressanone across the next five days.

Named to the leadership group were Denise Snyder (high jump), Paige Hooper (5000m walk), Huw Peacock (hammer throw), Dane Bird-Smith (10,000m walk) and Liam Speers (discus throw).

Following the team lunch athletes made their way to Bressanone’s historic town square for the official opening ceremony of the IAAF world youth event.

The colourful show of all 180 participating nations brought Bressanone to a standstill as athletes paraded through the narrow streets to converge on the square for a cultural extravaganza.

Ben Talakai and Liam Speers will be the first Australians in action on day one of the meet when qualifying for the boy’s discus throw gets under way.