25.02.2010

McFarlane, Martin get set for Sydney

As the clock counts down to the Sydney Track Classic at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre this Saturday night, the big-name stars of international track and field continue to roll into town.

Touching down in Sydney this week and adding his name to an already impressive line-up of overseas stars is Athens Olympics 400m hurdles silver medallist Danny McFarlane (JAM), who will take on Australian Flame athlete Brendan Cole in the one-lap hurdles event at the Sydney Track Classic this weekend and the Melbourne Track Classic next Thursday, March 4.

McFarlane, who placed sixth at the world championships in Berlin in August and sixth at the World Athletics Final in Thessaloniki, Greece, in September, arrives in Australia ready to take on the nation’s top track talent over two nights of non-stop track and field action.

The 37-year-old Jamaican brings with him an impressive career resume that features six world championships campaigns, lining up at the 1995 and 1999 world championships as a 400m man before returning to the international stage in 2003 as a 400m hurdler and going on to compete in that event at the 2005, 2007 and 2009 editions of the world titles.

The three-time Olympic representative placed seventh over 400m in Sydney in 2000 before securing the silver medal in Athens in 2004 in his premier event, the 400m hurdles. In Beijing McFarlane finished just outside the medals in fourth place.

Also adding his name to an international start list that already features David Rudisha (KEN, 400m), David Neville (USA, 400m), Trevell Quinley (USA, long jump), Tero Pitkamaki (FIN, javelin throw), Corey White (USA, javelin throw) and Valerie Vili (NZL, shot put) is US sprinter Rodney Martin, who will line up in the 200m this weekend and take on the 100m/200m double in Melbourne.

With a personal best time of 9.95 over 100m and 19.99 over 200m, Martin will take it right up to Australian Flame representative Matt Davies when he steps out at Sydney Olympic Park this Saturday night.

The 27-year-old American placed fourth over 200m at the 2007 world championships in Osaka, ran the first leg of the US 4x100m relay team at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and has proven himself a consistent performer on the international stage, turning on impressive performances on the European Grand Prix circuit in recent years.

Martin was a star attraction at today’s John Landy Lunch Club function in Sydney, joining Berlin golden girl Dani Samuels, world championships long jump bronze medallist Mitchell Watt, Olympic 100m hurdles silver medallist Sally McLellan, dual Olympic race walking medallist Jared Tallent and international contenders Neville, Quinley and White to preview the action at Sydney Olympic Park this Saturday night.

Tickets to the Sydney Track Classic are on sale now – click here to book the hottest seats in town today!

Sydney Track Classic: Sydney Olympic Park – Saturday, February 27
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Melbourne Track Classic: Melbourne Olympic Park – Thursday, March 4
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