Athletics Australia Finalizes Nomination of Olympic Squad

Published On: 14 June 2012

Kim Mickle is one of five WAIS athletes set for Olympic selection in the Australian track and field team

Athletics Australia has identified for nomination to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) a team of 54, the largest of any sport to date, for selection to compete at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The group includes five WAIS scholarship holders, with; javelin thrower Kim Mickle and sprinter Ben Offereins joining the pole vault trio of Steve Hooker, Liz Parnov and Alana Boyd.

Athletics Australia intends to nominate these athletes to the AOC on Monday 18 June 2012, subject to any appeals lodged within the next 48 hours concluding 11:00am on Friday 15 June 2012. Subject to any appeals being lodged, the AOC will consider the selection of these athletes on Monday 18 June 2012.

This follows the close of the Athletics Australia Qualifying Period, the Final Selectors’ Meeting and subsequent approval by the Athletics Australia Board of Directors on Tuesday 12 June 2012.

The close of the Athletics Australia Qualifying Period has seen the addition of 21 athletes, plus a second event for Jeff Riseley (Vic) and Sally Pearson(Qld), to a previously identified 33 under Clause D (7) and Clause F of the Athletics Australia Nomination Criteria.

Dion Russell, Athletics Australia Chairman of Selectors, said: “All athletes identified at the Final Selectors’ Meeting, were added at the discretion of selectors and as per the Nomination Criteria.

“In the case of Melissa Breen, at our Final Selection meeting, like all eligible athletes, we took into account her season’s results and progression over the qualifying period. With multiple personal bests, an improved level of consistency in her performances and the fact that she is an emerging athlete in our sport, the selectors chose to identify her for nomination to the AOC.

“Overall it is encouraging that so many athletes were able to step up to the mark during the qualifying period and achieve the performance standards as set by Athletics Australia.

“We have a very strong team across multiple disciplines that will represent Australia with pride and to the best of their ability. In terms of relative size this is the second largest athletics team behind the home Sydney Games, which is a great result for our sport.

“The Selectors congratulate the athletes identified for nomination and look forward to sharing the journey to London with you.”

– Athletics Australia