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