12.11.2009

Quarterly message from the President

As we look towards the 2009/10 Australian athletics season and onwards to the 2010 Commonwealth Games, it is timely that we reflect on the outstanding success achieved by our athletes in the almost four years since the 2006 Commonwealth Games were played out on our shores.

The highlights have been numerous, the performances world-class. From Beijing to Belgrade, Ostrava to Osaka, Australian athletes have asserted themselves on the world stage and become a true force to be reckoned with on the competitive international circuit.

In March 2006 Australia’s track and field stars set a new standard for the sport, claiming 14 gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze medals en route to their best Commonwealth Games on record. A total of 79 top-eight places was to prove an early indicator that our athletes were on track for world titles glory the following year.

Success in Osaka came in the form of two gold medals, to Jana Pittman-Rawlinson in the 400m hurdles and Nathan Deakes in the 50km walk, marking the first time in national history an Australian track and field team had claimed two gold medals at a world titles.

Again in 2008 Australia’s track and field elite took the sport to new heights, taking home the nation’s greatest medal haul since 1968 from the Beijing Olympic Games.

In an inspiring display of the growing depth of Australian athletics, it was neither Pittman-Rawlinson nor Deakes who triumphed in Beijing, but a brand new line-up of international contenders – pole vaulter Steve Hooker, hurdles star Sally McLellan and race walker Jared Tallent.

Just months ago our team stepped out as the Australian Flame for the very first time and at once began a proud tradition of success on the international stage.

Again it was the young stars of the sport who stole the show, 21-year-old Dani Samuels becoming the youngest world discus champion in history with victory in that event and Queenslander Mitchell Watt stepping up to take bronze in the long jump on his international debut. They joined courageous captain Steve Hooker (gold) and the men’s 4x400m relay team of Ben Offereins, John Steffensen, Tristan Thomas and Sean Wroe (bronze) on the podium in Berlin for the nation’s greatest ever medal haul at a world championships.

In an exciting sign for the future of our sport, we have also achieved tremendous success at youth, junior and university-level meets around the world. Nineteen top-eight finishes were recorded at this year’s World University Games held in Belgrade, Serbia - including four gold medals (4x400m relay, Tristan Thomas – 400m hurdles, Madeleine Pape – 800m, Dani Samuels – discus throw) and one silver medal (Kaila McKnight – 1500m) - to round out our best result at this meet in its 72-year history.

2009 also saw New South Wales athlete Amy Pejkovic take silver in the high jump at the world youth championships in Bressanone, Italy, and the culmination of these outstanding results certainly bodes well for the future of our sport.
 
As the clock counts down to the domestic athletics season and onwards to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October 2010, we recognise the success of our athletes on the international stage. The current four-year Commonwealth Games cycle (2006-2010) has been one of outstanding success and has secured our place as the 10th highest-ranking track and field nation of the 213 nations represented in international athletics.

With continued funding, drive and talent development, Australian athletics will continue to challenge the world’s track and field powerhouses in New Delhi, Daegu, London and beyond.

Rob Fildes OAM
President
Athletics Australia