Aussie Aussie Aussie - 2013

[GMH454]

Sydney Sunday telegraph today had a very nice pre Olynpic piece on the throws, and why not as they make up a large chunk of the team great to see some emphasis, on these events..

[AS]

Full "final" Aussie Olympic team announced:

MEN (34):
800m: Jeff Riseley (Vic)
1500m: Ryan Gregson (NSW), Jeff Riseley (Vic)
5000m: Collis Birmingham (Vic), David McNeill (Vic), Craig Mottram (Vic)
10,000m: Ben St Lawrence (NSW)
Marathon: Martin Dent (ACT), Jeff Hunt (NSW), Michael Shelley (Qld)
3000m steeplechase: Youcef Abdi (NSW)
400m hurdles: Brendan Cole (ACT), Tristan Thomas (Tas)
20km walk: Chris Erickson (Vic), Adam Rutter (NSW), Jared Tallent (Vic)
50km walk: Luke Adams (NSW), Nathan Deakes (Vic), Jared Tallent (Vic)
Long jump: Henry Frayne (Qld), Mitchell Watt (Qld)
Triple jump: Henry Frayne (Qld)
Pole vault: Steven Hooker (WA)
Shot put: Dale Stevenson (Vic)
Discus throw: Benn Harradine (Vic), Scott Martin (Vic), Julian Wruck (Qld)
Javelin: Jarrod Bannister (Vic)
4x100m relay: Anthony Alozie (Vic), Tim Leathart (NSW), Andrew McCabe (Qld), Isaac Ntiamoah (NSW), Josh Ross (Vic)
4x400m relay: Brendan Cole (ACT), Ben Offereins (WA), Joel Milburn (NSW), Steven Solomon (NSW), John Steffensen (NSW), Tristan Thomas (Tas)

My tips as top 8 finishers in Blue, Medalists in Green

Relay teams are still sweating on staying inside top 16 to keep spot. Men's 4x4 is currently 12th, 4x1 on cusp at 15 (and women are 16th!)

[AS]

WOMEN (20):
100m: Melissa Breen (ACT)
1500m: Kaila McKnight (Vic), Zoe Buckman (ACT)
10,000m: Eloise Wellings (NSW)
Marathon: Jessica Trengove (SA), Lisa Weightman (Vic), Benita Willis (Vic)
100m hurdles: Sally Pearson (Qld)
400m hurdles: Lauren Boden (ACT)
20km walk: Regan Lamble (Vic), Beki Lee (NSW), Claire Tallent (SA)
Pole vault: Alana Boyd (WA), Liz Parnov (WA)
Discus throw: Dani Samuels (NSW)
Javelin: Kim Mickle (WA), Kathryn Mitchell (Vic)
4x100m relay: Melissa Breen (ACT), Hayley Butler (NSW), Jessica Knox (NSW), Sally Pearson (Qld), Charlotte Van Veenendaal (Vic)

My tips as top 8 finishers in Blue, Medalists in Green

In the end they have picked every Aussie who hit an A-qualifier during the period + one who got ridiculously close (21 year old Melissa Breen who went 11.30 instead of 11.29).

While Tamysn Manou (nee Lewis) has been vocal about her non-selection (although she hadn't run a B this year, nor an A since Beijing), but really there don't appear to be too many unfortunate folks in individual events.

Most noticeable absentee (through no fault of selectors) is Fabrice Lapierre (LJ), who couldn't be selected with no A-mark (as we already have two). There has been mention that he might earn a late call-up if he hits the mark in the coming couple of weeks.

I suspect if any of the relay folk (e.g. Solomon, Steffensen or Ross) hit As in the coming three weeks, they'd be a chance to get individual slots too.

Biggest Aussie squad since Sydney games.

[mump boy]

The mens LJ A standard is a total joke only 13 people have jumped 8.20 this year

[AS]

The mens LJ A standard is a total joke only 13 people have jumped 8.20 this year

It does seem very harsh. How many As once we look at last year also?

[AS]

[I also posted this on the NCAA WSteeple thread).

As noted on the front page, Steeplechaser Genevieve LaCaze (at Florida) just improved her PR to 9:41.15.

That's an Olympic A-qualifier, but comes a day after Athletics Australia named the "final" Olympic team.

LaCaze is front page news down here as she now has to appeal to chase her rightful spot. I guess that's the only way a steeplechaser/athlete was gonna get a headline:

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/olympics ... 20d6h.html

As per usual our massively underqualified and underperforming national "high performance coach" is being a dick about it:

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/olympics ... 20e1n.html

Her case seems pretty sound to me (especially as she's arguing she didn't have control over her schedule due to college commitments).

[typpo]

I for one would be happy for LaCaze to be selected - she shows at least as much potential in her event as Breen does in hers, if not more. Smashing run by an athlete who appears to be developing into a formidable racer. And what a good head on her shoulders. Hollingsworth needs to get himself some class.

[mump boy]

The mens LJ A standard is a total joke only 13 people have jumped 8.20 this year

It does seem very harsh. How many As once we look at last year also?

i couldn't be bothered to look that up but a lot are the same so not that many

[mump boy]

[I also posted this on the NCAA WSteeple thread).

As noted on the front page, Steeplechaser Genevieve LaCaze (at Florida) just improved her PR to 9:41.15.

That's an Olympic A-qualifier, but comes a day after Athletics Australia named the "final" Olympic team.

LaCaze is front page news down here as she now has to appeal to chase her rightful spot. I guess that's the only way a steeplechaser/athlete was gonna get a headline:

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/olympics ... 20d6h.html

As per usual our massively underqualified and underperforming national "high performance coach" is being a dick about it:

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/olympics ... 20e1n.html

Her case seems pretty sound to me (especially as she's arguing she didn't have control over her schedule due to college commitments).

why are final selections so early ? they don't have to finalised for another 3 weeks !!

[typpo]

LaCaze's appeal has been rejected, even after Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates said publicly today they'd be happy to approve her nomination if Athletics Australia put her name forward. Wow, talk about an administrative body selling its own sport and athletes short.

[Athleticsimaging]

I for one would be happy for LaCaze to be selected - she shows at least as much potential in her event as Breen does in hers, if not more. Smashing run by an athlete who appears to be developing into a formidable racer.

The problem with LaCaze is that she had run no B qualifier with her NCAA win in 9:50 being her PB until the 9:41. So there was no discretionary capacity under the selection guidelines.

The lack of a B might seem odd, as it was to me, but A=9:43 and B=9:48 WTF? Is there a logjam in the 9:40s?

The real issue is the AA deadline set before the IAAF and IOC deadlines. This might be administratively easy but further disadvantages athletes who already have problems operating out of season for major events.

[Vault-emort]

The mission objective of AA should be to ensure maximum representation in all events at all international competitions.

[typpo]

AA's bogus moralising on this issue is a disgrace. They claim LaCaze or anybody else being selected for performances between June 11-22 would be unfair to other athletes who have trained/planned all their competitions prior to the cut-off. AA should put their money where their mouth is and ask some of these athletes whether they would genuinely feel aggrieved if LaCaze was selected or if others, like Lapierre, for argument's sake, just happened to pop out an 8.40 in the next couple of days. I bet I know how most of them would answer.

Irony - Eloise Wellings ran her 10000 A-qualifier on May 1 2011 but hasn't run the event since. Not saying she doesn't deserve selection (she got frighteningly close to the A standard twice this year in the 5000 too, so she's obviously running well) but in that light, to not select someone who's run the A in their event 44 days before the Olympics as opposed to 45 just beggars belief. We've picked relay runners who are struggling to break 46.5 (M4x400) and 12.0 (W4x100) for chrissake!

[GMH454]

AS got to agree with your predictions, the next closest to medaling I think will be Frayne .... and Benn in recent years has been performing best on the biggest stage..also wonder if Parnov's coaching can pull of some magic with Boyd, at 4.76 she has the capacity to be there

if Sally wins the way she can, it won't matter if no-one else makes a final, with the general public

hope to see some suprises in the field events,

[Vault-emort]

So it seems that Genevieve is IN the Olympic team and other Aussies now have until 22 June to achieve an 'A'.

Not that there are a bunch of opportunities for the likes of Fab and Tamsyn before the new deadline though.

Still a victory for common sense and a bit of people power!

[Vault-emort]

So - with LaCaze seemingly confirmed - the best news from this story:

http://www.theage.com.au/olympics/athle ... 20gqu.html

seems to be:

Coates has welcomed the AA change of heart saying: “We are absolutely delighted that Athletics Australia have reconsidered. We always want to nurture young talent and we think Gen is someone with a great future in our sport and we welcome her on the team for London and beyond that look forward to seeing her in Rio".

The AOC accepts that an athlete who records an A-standard performance after June 22 and before the international deadline of July 7 would have a strong argument on appeal to be allowed onto the team and they would still welcome any athlete in that circumstance onto the team.

Surely this means that future AA selection criteria will allow for (at least) A qualifiers throughout the entire IAAF period.

And what's so hard about that really? Why can't AA just announce an auto team around nationals/trials plus a B shadow squad and then adjust the teams as necessary through the year.

The main team is announced to allow for uniform/credentials/whatever double-checks 6 weeks prior to Games. But then a couple of athletes who could possibly make an A (or an up and coming B in soft events) in the last few days can still be added (with IOC agreeing to automatically accept at least A qualifiers).

[AS]

It's great to see sense prevail.

Returning to the team itself I'm rapt to see 3 male discus hurlers. First time at non-home Games?

[GMH454]

I like Scott but think he was lucky with the wind, but think Wrucky may surprise his way into the final ... and hope Benn is healthy..

it is a testament to some great coaching and support ..... from a few well respected sourses

[Vault-emort]

LaCaze chops a second off her 1500m PB with a 4-12.48 1500m at Indy.

Lapierre wins Texas LJ in 8.08 (+0.5) but still needs another 12cm for an Olympic berth.

And some decent (inc PB) 10k road runs in Lonny this morning by most of our London marathoners.

[El Toro]

I like Scott but think he was lucky with the wind, but think Wrucky may surprise his way into teh final ... and hope Benn is healthy..

If Scott has been lucky with the wind, then that makes up for all the times he has been unlucky. I agree Wruck might do something impressive because he has proven his competitive ability, but will need to PB to come close to a medal.

Ben's health, according to story in the SMH on Monday, is not ideal. He missed the FBK Games and Rome DL due to a back problem. This puts his 62m in NY in context. He apparently cannot take anti-inflammatories due suffering from congenital hepatic fribrosis - bummer for a heavy lifting thrower.

Further to LaCaze's opportunity to use London as a learning experience for Rio,

Beijing wasn't the most memorable experence in terms of performance, but the experience from being there and getting used to the spectacle is something I have learned going to London. It helps knowing what to expect. How to stick to your own routine and keep to your plan is the hardest thing. It is like being at Disneyland for adults. It is the spectacle of most people's lives, the Olympics. But it one thing to compete at the Olympics and one thing to do well at the Olympics There is a fair distance between the two mindsets.

TFN picked up a shortened version of the article published online at the WAToday website. Full version at at A throwaway approach hides fierce will to win

[jackbean]

The mission objective of AA should be to ensure maximum representation in all events at all international competitions.

Yeah, because in this global economy everyone has money to splash around. And send everyone! No standards to be an Olympian. Just run third at nationals in a weak athletics nation 7 seconds off the pace, and off you go. Please.

[typpo]

I agree with Vault-emort - AA should be trying to pick the biggest squad possible. After all, it's the biggest meet in four years and since we're all paying for it in one way or another, we may as well have a decent athlete or two to cheer on. To AA's credit, I believe they've actually tried to do this. I just think they made the wrong call on LaCaze and were subsequently forced into an embarrassing backdown. I'm comfortable with the team they've picked apart from that and I'm just as comfortable with the non-selection of borderline athletes like Lapierre, Manou, Ross (in the individual 100 that is) without an A. On current form, LaCaze is at least capable of making the semis in London, irrespective of how she ran at nationals a couple of months ago.

[Vault-emort]

No standards to be an Olympian. Just run third at nationals in a weak athletics nation 7 seconds off the pace, and off you go. Please.

Well, that's a fair jump....

Maximum Representation means A qualifiers (3 if possible) in each event and - if we do not have an A - then B standards can still be considered. Nothing at all about sending athletes who have not achieved the same international standards as every other entrant .

[AS]

A very cool Kim Mickle interview:

http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/jav ... ce/xay3onv?

[typpo]

AA has now extended the qualification window from June 22 to July 7

[Vault-emort]

From the AA site, here is the list of 'shadow' athletes who have nominated for an OG spot, subject to an 'A' qualifier before the cut-off date.

I know 'hope springs eternal' but some of these names have got to be kidding - I mean plenty of them haven't been that close to a B...

Alex Beck
Scott Crowe
Robert Crowther
Matt Davies
Anthony Di Quinzio
Greg Eyears
Liam Gander
Jake Hammond
Fabrice Lapierre
Jackson Mallory
Matthew Outzen
Ian Rayson
Lachlan Renshaw
Aaron Rouge-Serret
Alexander Rowe
Sean Wroe

Crystal Attenborough
Monica Brennan
Lisa Corrigan
Jody Henry
Tanya Holliday
Tamsyn Manou
Victoria Mitchell
Larissa Pasternatsky
Kerrie Perkins
Caitlin Pincott
Anneliese Rubie
Caitlin Sargent
Theodora Spathis
Brooke Stratton
Lara Tamsett
Laura Whaler
Ashleigh Whittaker

[AS]

Why isn't Vault-emort among the names?

[Vault-emort]

With my PB of something like 11.11m for the triple at age 12, I was tempted to apply for the 4xtotally ridiculous relay

hang on - thanks 2 a social media campaign, I'm IN!

[norunner]

If any Aussies are interested: There is a big junior meeting today in Mannheim / Germany with many australian juniors (and some seniors) competing and there is even a livestream with liveresults here: http://www.leichtathletik.tv/2012/Sonst ... la12/1.htm .

[AS]

And very importantly a few of the seniors are in Nivelle for a meet (Pearson, Breen, Boden, Manou, Renshaw...):

http://www.eap-circuit.org/article.php3?id_article=760

[Vault-emort]

Aussies doing well so far in Mannheim.

Kim Mickle JAV 64.12m PB
Nick Hough 110H 13.38 NJR (in heat)

[AS]

From Nivelle:
W100m
1.Pearson 11.20 (-1.2)
2.Breen 11.55

w800m
1. Manou 2.03.65

w100mH
1.Pearson 12.55

w400mH
1. Boden 57.07

M400m
3. Offereins 46.59

M800
2. Renshaw 1.46.45

m3000
1. Batt 7.59.92

M400mH
1. Cole 50.60

[Speedster]

From Nivelle:
W100m
1.Pearson 11.20 (-1.2)
2.Breen 11.55

Sally's run corrects to 11.11, which would break MGT's 11.12A AR. I hope she gets a chance to run another 10m soon to see if she can get. This makes her the fastest sprint hurdler in the world, ahead of Phylicia George who has run 11.25 this year.

[Athleticsimaging]

Sally's run corrects to 11.11, which would break MGT's 11.12A AR.

I think the way her luck is going in the 100m, she'll finish her career with a PB of 11.13 -10.5m/s

[t_monk]

Sally's run corrects to 11.11, which would break MGT's 11.12A AR.

I think the way her luck is going in the 100m, she'll finish her career with a PB of 11.13 -10.5m/s

Sad part.... I agree >_<