Olympic Champion Steven Hooker of Australia competes in the men's Pole Vault final in Berlin (© Getty Images)
An initial Australian Flame team of 24 has been announced by Athletics Australia, with team captain and reigning World champion Steve Hooker set to lead the green and gold charge at the IAAF World Championships to be held in Daegu, Korea 27 August – 4 September 2011.
Boasting Olympic, Commonwealth, World and World indoor champions, the Australian Flame team also includes two exciting debutantes in Steven Solomon (NSW) and Caitlin Sargent (QLD), with the duo set to take to the start line in the men’s and women’s 4x400m relay respectively.
“We’re happy with the 24 quality athletes we currently have selected and look forward to the selection process continuing in the coming months,” Dion Russell, Athletics Australia Chairman of Selectors, said.
“The team is a combination of proven performers and new blood looking to grow, and with our sights firmly set on London in the long term that is a positive result.”
At the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, the Australian Flame won four medals and were the most successful Australian team in the then 26-year history of the World Championships. Hooker (Pole Vault) and Dani Samuels (Discus Throw) were crowned World champions, whilst Mitchell Watt (Long Jump) and the men’s 4x400m Relay team (Ben Offereins, Sean Wroe, Tristan Thomas and John Steffensen) won bronze.
In 2011, similar results are expected with Eric Hollingsworth, the Athletics Australia High Performance Manager, absolute in his expectation for strong performances.
“The target, as I have always said, at these world championships is five medals,” Hollingsworth said. “I am confident that with the team we have announced today, and those that we will add in the months to come, that this is achievable.”
Athletes looking to qualify but not yet announced are eligible for selection until 31 July, 2011 (excluding marathon and walks).
Athletics Australia for the IAAF
13th IAAF World Championships
Saturday, August 27 – Sunday, September 4 2011
Daegu, South Korea
MEN (17):
5000m: Ben St Lawrence (NSW)
Pole vault: Steve Hooker (WA)
Long jump: Mitchell Watt (QLD), Fabrice Lapierre (NSW)
Discus throw: Benn Harradine (VIC)
20km walk: Jared Tallent (ACT), Luke Adams (ACT), Adam Rutter (VIC)
50km walk: Tallent, Adams, Nathan Deakes (ACT)
4x100m relay: Aaron Rouge-Serret (VIC), Anthony Alozie (VIC), Isaac Ntiamoah (NSW), Matt Davies (QLD)
4x400m relay: Steven Solomon (NSW), Ben Offereins (WA), John Steffensen (NSW), Sean Wroe (VIC)
FEMALE (7):
100m: Sally Pearson (QLD)
100m hurdles: Pearson
Pole vault: Alana Boyd (WA)
Discus throw: Dani Samuels (NSW)
Javelin throw: Kim Mickle (WA)
20km walk: Claire Tallent (ACT)
4x400m relay: Tamsyn Lewis (VIC), Caitlin Sargent (QLD)
