The stars are aligning for the Adelaide Invitational with Australian 800m icon Peter Bol ready to dance his way around two laps of the SA Athletics Stadium, joining Olympic discus medallist Matthew Denny as athletes announced for the February 15 event.
The three-time Olympian and former national record holder at 1:44.00 will be a major drawcard in Adelaide as he returns for the 2025 Chemist Warehouse Summer Series, drawing on fond memories of a dominant victory in 2022’s instalment of the meet.
On that occasion, Bol arrived fresh off his fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympic Games, becoming the first Australian man to qualify for the 800m final since Ralph Doubell’s gold in 1968.
“I’m excited to get my season underway in a couple of weeks in Adelaide! I had great fun there a couple of years ago and it’s great to come back,” Bol said.
Spearheading Australian 800m running in recent years, the 30-year-old who recently became a father for the first time remains one of the most popular figures on the Australian circuit, welcoming the fanfare in Adelaide:
“The crowd was awesome in 2022, so many young people came out to watch and support.”
Bol will look to leverage his class and experience over the emerging field which includes 2024 World Under 20 Championships representative Daniel Williams, who clocked 1:47.88 at 17-years-old in December.
Other names confirmed for the two-lap showdown include World Championships representative Riley McGown, along with 1:45-credential athletes Jack Lunn and Jye Perrott.
In the field, Olympic bronze medallist Matthew Denny will return to the site of his Australian discus throw title in April, where he threw a then national record of 69.35m, but he will be eager to land back on top the winner’s list at the Adelaide Invitational having gone down to New Zealand’s Connor Bell in 2024.
“There’s nothing like the atmosphere in Adelaide, and I’m keen to get out there, have fun and get the crowd clapping again,” Denny said.
The 2025 Adelaide Invitational will be held at SA Athletics Stadium on February 15 from 5:30pm ACDT. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted 23/1/2024
