The wild west awaits for Olympic finalist Peter Bol who has confirmed his start at next month’s Perth Track Classic, igniting his 2026 campaign at the WA Athletics Stadium where he reclaimed the Australian record last April.
The four-time Australian champion will headline the Men’s 800m at the Perth Track Classic on February 14 as part of the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series, with an all-business Bol (WA, Justin Rinaldi) packing grand plans of putting on a show in a romantic return to the city he once called home.
Bol set a national record of 1:43.79 en route to the 2025 Australian title in Perth, which he went on to lower to 1:42.55 in Monaco in July, now returning in 2026 to continue his reign and claim as the nation’s premier 800m runner.
The three-time Olympian started his athletics career in Perth after being born in Sudan and emigrating to Egypt, then arriving in Australia where he has become one of the sport’s biggest names hailing from down under.
“It’s great coming back home to race in Perth. My last race there was the Nationals, which was a nice win and Australian record!” Bol said.
“It’s a bit early in the season for me to chase a time, but I feel good and I have been training well, so I hope for a good race.”
The hometown hero is unlikely to have it all his own way with training partner Tiarnan Crorken (GBR) set to toe the line with a 1:44.48 personal best to his name, while rising talent Daniel Williams (NSW, Andrew Rowlings) will kick-start his 2026 World Athletics Under 20 Championships bid with 1:45.49 credentials at 18-years-old.
Williams delivered a memorable run when charging past Bol late in the opening meet of the 2025 Chemist Warehouse Summer Series before Bol’s experience shone through, with the seasoned veteran taking note of his name ever since.
“At first, I was like ‘who is that?’, and then I was like ‘man he is moving well’. I told myself to stay calm and we can find out who he is at the end of the race,” Bol joked after taking the win.
Australian Under 20 champion Bob Abdelrahim (VIC, Justin Rinaldi) adds further depth to the field, but Bol remains the man to beat at 31-years-old as he looks to set up his season with a rejuvenated outlook on athletics following the birth of his daughter in 2024.
The 2026 Perth Track Classic will be hosted as part of the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series, taking place at the WA Athletics Stadium on February 14.
Tickets can be purchased HERE.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 12/01/2026
