The stage is set for the 2026 Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne, with global athletics stars starting to assemble at Lakeside Stadium for Saturday’s showdown featuring Olympic champion Nina Kennedy and sprint sensation Gout Gout.
This morning at Lakeside Stadium was just a taste of the firepower that awaits on Saturday night, as Kennedy (WA, James Fitzpatrick), Gout (QLD, Diane Sheppard) and Olympic middle-distance star Georgia Hunter Bell (GBR) were just some of the names to front the media.
The Melbourne skyline will set the scene for Kennedy’s return to Australia’s biggest stage, leaving a year of injury in her wake to take on twin stars Hana Moll (USA) and Amanda Moll (USA) in the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series.
“I’m just excited to compete against anyone. Training is so boring by myself,” Kennedy said.
“I train with Kurtis [Marschall], but to come out to a competition and see the girls, and to see a crowd, and to have some atmosphere is so amazing.
“I can’t hide from anything so I’m so pumped.”
It was Lachlan Kennedy (QLD, Andrew Iselin) who stole the show in last year’s Peter Norman Memorial 200m, but Gout is ready and raring for the rematch which will include sub-20 second man Benjamin Richardson (IRL) – the Australian record holder welcoming the challenge.
“I’m all clear, all healthy, I’m ready to rock and roll on Saturday,” Gout said.
“I mean the sprint is always the sprint, you have to run as fast as you can. Knowing Lachie, he is such a great starter. I know I have to work hard from the beginning.
“It’s fun to watch so many great juniors coming through and doing so well in senior events. I love that I’m not the only junior out there running good.”
Olympic bronze medallist Georgia Hunter Bell arrives fresh from Poland where she roared to 1500m gold at the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships on Sunday, touching down in Melbourne to take on Abbey Caldwell (VIC, Gavin Burren) and a host of Australia’s best middle-distance women.
“It definitely is the longest commute I’ve done for a four minute race!” Hunter Bell said.
“The women are so good that I’m competing against. I know you guys have your Nationals coming up pretty soon. I feel like everyone is in pretty good shape.
“I’ve ran five races this year and won all five, so I want to keep that winning streak if I can.”
World Under 20 record holder Cameron Myers (ACT, Dick Telford) will spearhead the John Landy Men’s 1500m which includes freshly crowned World Indoor bronze medallist Adam Spencer (VIC, Tomasz Lewandowski), while fellow World Indoor medallist Nicola Olyslagers (NSW, Matt Horsnell) is ready to soar in the high jump fresh off her silver medal in Poland.
Diamond League 400m champion Jacory Patterson (USA) will tackle Australia’s rising 400m men led by Reece Holder (QLD, Christopher Dale), along with fellow sub-45 second runners Aidan Murphy (SA, Nik Hagicostas) and Cooper Sherman (VIC, Neville Down) – Patterson owning a world-class personal best of 43.84-seconds.
The meet will also feature three Para-athletics races, including the 100m bouts spearheaded by fan-favourite Chad Perris (ACT, Matt Beckenham, T13) and Rhiannon Clarke (WA, Danny Kevan, T38), while budding rivals Reece Langdon (VIC, Tim O’Shaughnessy, T38) and Angus Hincksman (SA, Philo Saunders, T38) lead the Men’s 1500m Para contest.
Featuring 17 countries as part of a truly international showcase, the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne is backed by the Victorian Government and the Significant Sporting Events Program.
Victorian Government Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said;
“The Maurie Plant Meet is the most prestigious athletics meet on the Australian calendar and we’re proud to support its continued success.”
“Our funding will help the event bring visitors from across the country and around the world to Melbourne, helping showcase our wonderful city, supporting businesses and filling hotels.”
Australian Athletics CEO Simon Hollingsworth thanked the Government for their support for the Maurie Plant Meet, which has become a highlight on the Australian athletics calendar.
“The Maurie Plant Meet is a really special weekend for Australian Athletics, and to have the continued support for the event by the Victorian Government will ensure it grows from strength to strength,” Hollingsworth said.
For the first time in the history of the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne, there will be a new night of action with Friday Night Lights making its debut tomorrow night, including community relays and the Men’s High Jump featuring World Championships finalist Yual Reath (VIC, Mike Barber).
The 2026 Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne is the first of 12 World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meets for 2026, sitting just under the Diamond League – Oceania’s only meet of its status.
Tickets are available for purchase HERE as part of the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series.
Full entries and timetable are available HERE.
By Luke Dennehy and Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 26/3/2026
