Peter Bol agonisingly close to Olympic qualifier at Canberra Track Classic

Published On: 11 March 2021

Peter Bol’s dream of donning the green and gold at a second Olympic Games in Tokyo this year, is within grasp after the WAIS graduate stopped the clock in 1mins 45.23secs, an agonising three hundredths of a second off the automatic qualifying time of 1:45.20.

It was a dominant performance by the Western Australia who stormed clear in the final 200 metres for a convincing win.

“I always wanted the Olympic qualifier tonight, but at the same time I raced pretty well. I felt really strong, I think I just fell apart in the 50 or something like that so there is more to improve, but it was a dominant win.

“My plan is always to go on that back straight, I did that last race and I slowed down a bit too early this time, so next time just complete that whole race and put it all together.”

Bol will be looking to go those three hundredths quicker in Sydney on Saturday to book his ticket to Tokyo and his second Olympic Games.

In other competition there was no stopping Chad Perris as he stormed home to the win in the men’s 100m ambulatory in 10.98secs. In the women’s Rhiannon Clarke was narrowly edged to the win, taking second in 13.42secs. Robyn Lambird finished third with a time of 21.39secs in the women’s 100m wheelchair. In the 100m hurdles Brianna Beahan took third in 13.43secs. 

Rising star and Target Talent Program athlete Taylah Cruttenden snared fourth in a strong 100m field, her time of 11.62secs, was one hundredth off third and four hundredths off second.