Australia’s javelin women Kelsey-Lee Barger, Kathryn Mitchell (Casterton Little Athletics) and Mackenzie Little (Northern Suburbs Little Athletics) will occupy one quarter of the field in Friday night’s Olympic final after stamping their authority on the qualifying round, whilst Brooke Stratton produced her best when it mattered and Australia’s 1500m men went to work.
It was a case of déjà vu for Brooke Stratton (Knox Little Athletics) in the women’s long jump when finishing in seventh place of the Olympic final – repeating her result from the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Stratton’s best leap came in the third round as she nailed the board to fly 6.83m and progress to the final eight. The two-time Olympian could not improve on that distance in the following three rounds, falling five-centimetres short of a top five finish.
“It’s a bittersweet placing as seventh is where I placed in Rio, but the performance was further, and the girls out there were very consistent. It would have taken a lot to make the podium,” she said.
“It has been a rocky lead in with injury. A couple of months ago I didn’t even know if I was going to make it here. The jump is my fifth furthest ever, I can’t be disappointed.”
The Australian record holder’s two best leaps this season have come in the national final and Olympic final, demonstrating her capacity to produce her best when it matters – a valuable asset for the 28-year-old moving forward.
Stewart McSweyn (Ballarat Little Athletics) took some time to assume his usual position as the pilot of the race, but once he did, he had the field under immediate pressure. The King Island product forced an uncomfortable pace for many athletes for the first round of a major championships, before taking the foot off the gas with the job all but done – clocking 3:36.39 to finish in third place.
“I was pleased to take it on. I want to take my fate into my own hands so I’m happy to get through but I’m going to have to lift in two night's time,” he said.
“I’m going to run what suits me, I’m going to take it on and if guys beat me then they beat me – I’m not going to leave it wondering. Every time I put on this Aussie top I get that special feeling that I can’t give anything less than 110 per cent, so that’s what I’m going to do.”
Oliver Hoare (Geelong Little Athletics) was tactically solid when running 3:36.09 to finish in third place of his heat and automatically advance to the semi-finals, leading at stages of the race before proving strong enough in the kick-down finish.
“It was a stacked heat; it could have been a final at most championships. My coach and I have had a goal of top-three in each race, try and keep an eye what’s happening and keep it honest,” he said.
“I’m fit enough for this. I’ve been training for it and will give my all in every race. As long as I represent the green and gold with pride, that’s all I can do.”
Hoare’s time is the second fastest ever by an Australian at an Olympic Games behind Herb Elliot's 3:35.6.
Jye Edwards was less fortunate in the 1500m heats when finishing in seventh place, with the first six of each heat to automatically progress. Edwards registered a time of 3:42.62 in the messy race which featured falls from multiple athletes, storming home to narrowly miss a qualifying position for the semi-finals.
Most athletes show at least a glimpse of nerves on Olympic debut, but not Mackenzie Little (Northern Suburbs Little Athletics). With her first ever throw at an Olympic Games, Little threw a significant personal best of 62.37m to all but secure a berth in the final of the women’s javelin.
“I just executed the things we’ve been working on, my coach was really confident about where I was at. I was able to hold my nerve and do it on the first throw so I couldn’t be happier with a PB,” she said.
“I’ve been working hard and slowly improving and I’m so glad that things have come together at the right time.”
For a long time in the women’s javelin qualifying round, it looked as if reigning world champion Kelsey-Lee Barber was not going to progress to the Olympic final. Barber’s first two throws were well short of what Australian athletics fans have come to expect from her, recording distances of 51.27m and 53.82m.
With the weight of the world on her shoulders, Barber demonstrated her trademark nerve and proceeded to launch the javelin 62.59m to move into second position - securing a position in the Olympic final.
“Far out, I really drew on my experience out there today. I really needed to find another gear and find my competitor and that’s what I did – I wasn’t going to go out like that,” she said.
“I think that’s one of my best traits, when you ask me to do something I can lift to the occasion and I can rise. I love to perform and I love to be challenged, I’m in my element when you put me in a final.”
Kathryn Mitchell (Casterton Little Athletics) made it three from three for the Australians when also advancing to the women’s javelin final, with a second round throw of 61.85m surrounded by two fouls.
Mitchell got off to a shaky start when tripping over on her first attempt before composing herself to launch the 600g implement to ensure Australia will occupy one quarter of the field in the Olympic women’s javelin final.
“It doesn’t take much in javelin, it’s such a technical event. Physically I’m in good shape, I’ve had a few technical problems, but I know that if I get on to one it will go. I’ll keep trying and keep going,” she said.
Nick Hough’s (Hills District Little Athletics) Olympic debut could not have got off to a worse start, with the 110m hurdler last out of the blocks in his heat. But Hough soon rallied to tear doing the straight and leave the hurdles in his wake to be the third man across the line – automatically advancing to tomorrow’s semi-finals.
Given the Australian’s messy race, his time of 13.57 was enough to suggest he can challenge his 13.38 personal best if thins go to plan in the next round.
Bendere Oboya managed to finish fifth in her 400m heat on Olympic debut in a time of 52.37. Oboya has had an interrupted Olympic preparation after a dominant domestic season which saw her qualify for her first Olympic Games – a debut that is not yet over with the women’s 4x400m relay to come.
Three-time Olympian David McNeill came within 0.36 seconds of qualifying for the men’s 5000m final when running 13:39.97 to finish in eighth place in his heat. McNeill fought on strongly over the final lap, looking smooth as he launched a bid to gain automatic qualification through a top six finish – ultimately falling agonisingly short.
Knowing the task at hand, Morgan McDonald was brave in the second heat of the 12.5 lap encounter, forced to hang on to some of the world’s best middle-distance men if he were to make the Olympic final on debut. McDonald clocked 13:37.36 to finish in 11th place as his maiden Olympic campaign drew to a close.
Kurtis Marschall had a tough night in the pole vault, failing to clear the entry height of 5.55m in his first Olympic final.
“There will always be someone that has a disappointment and unfortunately this time it was me,” he said.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be here, I felt amazing and have no excuses. I just couldn’t capitalise.”
ARTICLE BY ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA
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