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Storey just short of Rio mark in Portland

Lora Storey is closing in on an Olympics athletics berth, while Linden Hall continues to shave seconds of her personal bests.

Australian Lora Storey has fallen just short of the women's 800m Olympics qualifying mark in the US, as Linden Hall continues her head-turning form.

Storey crossed the line in two minutes 2.58 seconds at the Portland Track Festival on Sunday (Monday AEST) - 1.08 seconds slower than the Rio standard.

Hall, meanwhile, clocked 2:02.85 to slice nearly four seconds off her 800m personal best.

The 24-year-old Victorian switched her entry from the 1500m, the event in which she blitzed her Diamond League debut two weeks ago.

Hall's time of 4:01.78 in Oregon last month set her rocketing to third spot on the Australian women's 1500m all-time list and left her well-placed to book a Rio berth.

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Eloise Wellings led other Australians in action over the weekend, running her second-fastest 10,000m time ever for a win in the Netherlands on Saturday (Sunday AEST).

Wellings, who has already qualified for both the 5,000m and 10,000m events, recorded an Olympic-qualifying time of 31:53.44 at the 45ste Gouden Spike meet in Leiden.

Victorian Damien Birkinhead also put on a strong showing on European debut, winning the shot put with a 19.43m throw.

Meanwhile, Rio-bound pole vaulter Alana Boyd made her comeback from injury in Queensland on Saturday, clearing 4.55m at the Winter Pole Vault Meet.

It was the 32-year-old's first competition since injuring her ankle at the world indoor championships in March.

She will now prepare for her Europe campaign starting next month.

Long jump medal hope Brooke Stratton will compete in Switzerland this week before Thursday's Diamond League meet in Stockholm alongside 3000m steeplechaser Madeline Hills.

Sally Pearson was scheduled to compete in Stockholm, however the reigning Olympic 100m hurdles champion has withdrawn following a disappointing week on the comeback trail.

She will return to the Gold Coast to focus on her fitness before rejoining the international circuit in several weeks.


2 min read

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Source: AAP


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