Jana Pittman of Australia in action in the heats of the 400m Hurdles (© Getty Images)
A defending World Champion, a World Cross Country Champion, two Olympic bronze medallists, a former World Champion and the world’s newest member of the six metre pole vault club, head a quality team of 20 athletes named today to represent Australia at the 10th IAAF World Championships in Athletics to be held in Helsinki, Finland from the 6-14 August 2005.
World 400m Hurdles Champion Jana Pittman will aim to defend her World title in Helsinki and will joined by the current IAAF World Ranked number one race walker Jane Saville, fellow Olympic bronze medallist Nathan Deakes, World Cross Country champion Benita Johnson and world class pole vaulter, Olympic finalist Paul Burgess, as Australia’s best medal hopes.
Other top chances include former World Champion Dmitri Markov (Pole Vault), Olympic finalists Justin Anlezark (Shot Put) and Craig Mottram (5000m), who is also a strong medal contender at the upcoming World Cross Country Championships in France (19-20 March).
Additional selection information:
A decision on the addition of a men’s 4x400m relay will be made prior to the June 7 team additions. The decision will depend upon the recovery from injury of Clinton Hill and the form of remaining available athletes.
All athletes will be required to achieve a ‘village’ entry standard to ensure team members are capable of performing at an appropriate level at the World Championships. The standards will be determined individually by the National Performance Director.
Final selections (if any) in the marathon, 50km Walk and 20km Walk will be announced in early May. Any additional track and field selections will be named in early June, after the qualifying periods close. (Marathon - 30 April; 20km & 50km Walk - 1 May; 10,000m & Combined Events – 5 June; all other in-stadium events – 30 May).
Athletics Australia
Australian Team- 10 March 2005:
MEN
100m Joshua Ross (N)
200m Daniel Batman
400m Clinton Hill* (N)
5000m Craig Mottram (V)
20km Walk Nathan Deakes (V), Luke Adams (N)
Pole Vault Paul Burgess (W), Steve Hooker (V), Dmitri Markov (S)
Shot Put Justin Anlezark** (Q)
4x100m Relay Batman, Patrick Johnson (A), Kris Neofytou*** (N), Ross, Matt Shirvington (N) [one athlete may be added]
WOMEN
200m Lauren Hewitt (V)
1500m Sarah Jamieson (V)
5000m Benita Johnson (V)
400m Hurdles Jana Pittman^ (N)
20km Walk Jane Saville (N), Cheryl Webb (N)
Heptathlon Kylie Wheeler (W)
Notes:
* selected subject to achieving one B standard by close of entries (25 July 2005)
** selected subject to achieving two B standards by close of entries (25 July 2005)
*** selected subject to a fitness test
^ defending champion
