Mickle First WA Athlete Early Nominated for London 2012

Western Australian Institute of Sport athlete Kim Mickle has been recommended to the AOC for early nomination into the 2012 Australian Olympic Team, after Athletics Australia identified seven athletes for consideration following this year’s world championships.

Athletics Australia identified the seven Flame athletes who finished top eight at the recent IAAF World Championships, that also included medallists Sally Pearson (Qld), Mitchell Watt (Qld) and Jared Tallent (Vic), for early nomination to the Australian Olympic Committee. The Paralympic nomination process for London 2012 has also been confirmed.

As per the Olympic nomination criteria, which is available at athletics.com.au, the following athletes have been identified for early nomination, and, subject to meeting ongoing form and fitness, will be nominated to the AOC for selection to the 2012 Australian Olympic Team in June 2012:

Luke Adams (NSW) – 50km Walk

Jarrod Bannister (Vic) – Javelin

Benn Harradine(Vic) – Discus

Kim Mickle(WA) – Javelin

Sally Pearson(Qld) – 100m Hurdles

Jared Tallent(Vic) – 50km Walk

Mitchell Watt(Qld) – Long Jump

Athletes are eligible for early nomination as a result of finishing in the top eight at the 2011 IAAF World Championships and having recorded an Olympic qualifying standard time or distance since the qualifying period commenced on 01/05/2011 (for all events except the marathon, 10,000m, combined events and walks, whose period has run since 01/01/2011).

World champion Pearson (Qld) ran under the 100m hurdles qualifying time of 12.96 secs all season, including the blistering 12.28 secs that sealed her gold medal in the final of the 2011 World Championships.

Equally impressive in consistency has been Watt (Qld), who ended his season with four of the five furthest jumps in the world this year, including his effort of 8.54m in Stockholm, which was a new Oceania long jump record.

Watt’s silver medal at the World Championships came a day before Tallent (Vic) won bronze in the 50km walk. Joining Tallent in the top eight was Adams (NSW), who finished fifth in an Olympic qualifying time and was included for early nomination at the selectors’ discretion.

Finally, in the field events, both javelin throwers Mickle (WAIS) and Bannister (Vic) finished top eight, having thrown Olympic standards prior to their arrival in Daegu. Mickle finished sixth with a throw of 61.96m and Bannister came seventh with a heave of 82.25m. Meanwhile in the discus Harradine (Vic) claimed a fifth place spot to go alongside his three Olympic qualifying standard throws prior to the 2011 World Championships.

The final list of track and field athletes will be nominated to the AOC after the final selectors meeting on 11 June 2012, when athletes have satisfied the on-going form and fitness obligations.

The nomination criteria for the 2012 Australian Paralympic Team has also been confirmed.

One athlete who will be looking to make a fourth Paralympic appearance is reigning Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley (NSW), who recently met the Queen during her State visit.

Brad Scott (ACT) has also shown early form, clocking a T37 1500m qualifying standard in Canberra. The Paralympic 800m silver medallist ran 4:10.96 in the 1500m at the AACT Summer Series event, a time which was 15 seconds faster than the qualifying standard.

For the 2012 Olympic Games nomination criteria please click here

For the 2012 Paralympic Games nomination criteria please click here

-AthleticsAustralia