Final Australian track and field team for Tokyo Games to include 63 athletes

The Australian Olympic Committee says the athletics team being sent to the Tokyo Games is the largest sent by Australia to an away Olympics.

Kathryn Mitchell, who competes in the javelin throw, returns for her third Olympic Games.

Kathryn Mitchell, who competes in the javelin throw, returns for her third Olympic Games. Source: AOC/Getty

Australia has named its largest track and field team for an away Olympics, with 63 athletes selected for the Tokyo Games.

Only home Games - in Sydney, 2000 and Melbourne, 1956 - have had larger track and field teams.

The Tokyo track and field team boasts three athletes on the verge of a landmark.

Marathoner Lisa Weightman, discus thrower Dani Samuels and middle distance runner Jeff Riseley will compete at their fourth Olympics.

The trio will equal the record for most Olympic appearances by an Australian track and field athlete.

Seven others - Rob de Castella, Lisa Ondieki, Simon Baker, Steve Moneghetti, Jane Saville, Benita Willis and Craig Mottram - made four Olympic teams.

Australia's athletics team for the Tokyo Games starting July 23 includes 44-year-old marathoner Sinead Diver, who will become the nation's oldest track and field entrant at an Olympics.

The team features medal hope Stewart McSweyn, who has confirmed his focus on the 1500-metres by dropping the 5000m and 10,000m despite earning selection in both longer distance events.

A group of 36 were added to the track and field team on Saturday.

"It's incredibly exciting to see 36 more athletes announced ... what's more exciting is the real mix of experience we have," Athletics Australia chief executive Peter Bromley said.

"We have 14 Olympians joining the team once again ... and 22 debutants, all of whom have made a lasting impression on the Australian athletics community.

"This highlights to me that the future of athletics in our country is strong and bright.

"We have a big few weeks ahead as our team now goes into camp to put the finishing touches on their final preparations."

Two overlooked track and field athletes have appealed their non-selection. A date for a resolution has yet to be set.

The 36 athletes announced today include:

Hana Basic

Izzy Batt-Doyle

Alex Beck

Ellie Beer

Angeline Blackburn

Jenny Blundell

Peter Bol

Ben Buckingham

Sarah Carli

Amy Cashin

Rose Davies

Matthew Denny

Henry Frayne

Georgia Griffith

Katie Hayward

Bec Henderson

Ollie Hoare

Nick Hough

Kendra Hubbard

Charlie Hunter

Mackenzie Little

Morgan McDonald

Dave McNeill

Kathryn Mitchell

Morgan Mitchell

Elizaveta Parnova

Eleanor Patterson

Jeffrey Riseley

Anneliese Rubie-Renshaw

Steven Solomon

Brandon Starc

Kyle Swan

Patrick Tiernan

Declan Tingay

Edward Trippas

Georgia Winkcup


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