Athletics Australia – News – ‚The Blade Runner‘ Oscar Pistorius to headline Qantas Australian Athletics Tour

In a massive coup for athletics in Australia, the Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius (RSA) has today been confirmed to race at the Sydney (NSW) and Perth (WA) instalments of the 2013 Qantas Australian Athletics Tour.

Excitingly, the signing of Pistorius coincides with confirmation that Qantas will remain as title sponsor and airline of the Australian Athletics Tour.

Set to start alongside Australia’s formidable stable of one-lap charges, the six-time Paralympic champion and first ever amputee to compete at the Olympic Games Pistorius will run at the Sydney Track Classic on Saturday, 9 March and the Go for 2&5 Perth Track Classic on Saturday, 16 March.

Pistorius said: "Having never competed in Australia before, I am very excited to line-up in Sydney and Perth as part of the Qantas Australian Athletics Tour. It is going to provide a fantastic boost to my preparation for my 2013 season.

"The four-by-four team from Australia has always been strong so I know there will be strong competition at both meets. The rise of Steve Solomon to the Olympic final was astounding too, so fingers crossed I will see him on the start lists when I am out there. Between all of us I hope we can put on a bit of a show for the fans. I plan to be in pretty solid form when I arrive and it would be great to start my season in style at the meet.

"Australia and South Africa are a bit unique in that our seasons domestically fall outside those in Europe or North America. It can be hard to track down strong competition so early in the year so when I got this opportunity from Athletics Australia I was pretty excited. As an athlete that continually wants to improve and impress, I hope that 2013 is better than what has been an amazing 2012 and an opportunity like this assists in making that happen.

"I've been told that my race in Perth coincides with Australian Junior Champs as well. It's great to know that I will be competing at a time when so many possible future stars are going to be in town. I hope we encourage those youngsters to put everything into their sport, keep pushing the boundaries to be your best, because making sure that next generation comes through is so important for athletics.”

Pistorius, who has double below-knee amputations, is a six-time Paralympic champion and a silver medallist alongside his 4x400m relay teammates from the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu (KOR). He has also won five gold medals at the IPC Athletics World Championships.

At the Games of the 30th Olympiad in London (GBR) this year, Pistorius became the first amputee to compete at an Olympic Games. A semi-finalist in the men’s 400m, he anchored the South African relay team to a season’s best 3:03.46 in the final before being bestowed the honour of carrying the South African flag at the closing ceremony.

Pistorius was the face of the 2012 Paralympic Games, winning gold in the T44 400m and the T42-46 4x100m relay and a silver medal in the T44 200m.  His performance in the 400m improved the Paralympic record to 46.68, while his anchor leg in the relay ensured a South African held world record of 41.78.

Pistorius continued: "I don't even know where to begin when describing the past twelve months. The Olympics were phenomenal and to be lucky enough to back that up with an amazing few weeks at the Paralympic Games was out of this world. The people of London truly embraced both events, and as an athlete you can't hope for too much more than a supportive and vocal crowd."

The signing of Qantas will see Australia’s national airline continue their partnership as Athletics Australia’s official airline and their prominence as title sponsor of the Australian Athletics Tour and the IAAF World Challenge event in Melbourne on Saturday, 6 April.

Qantas has supported athletics in Australia for over forty years via its sponsorship of the Australian Olympic Team. Qantas also sponsors Steve Hooker, Sally Pearson and Kelly Cartwright, while Catherine Freeman has been an ambassador for the company for over ten years.

Dallas O’Brien, Athletics Australia Chief Executive, said: “It has been a big few days in our office with confirmation from Qantas that they will remain a key partner of Athletics Australia and Oscar confirming his intentions to us this morning.

“Oscar is the first international starter to be named for the Qantas Australian Athletics Tour and we couldn’t have asked for a better first announcement. His name is synonymous with athletics across the world and we are very excited to welcome him.

“With conversations continuing with a number of other key athletes, it is looking like interest in competing on the 2013 Qantas Australian Athletics Tour from international athletes is very high.

“We are equally delighted to have Qantas returning in 2013. They have a rich history in supporting Australian sports and I am proud that they continue to see value in supporting track and field in this country.

“Together with our other relationships with Eventscorp Western Australia, Destination New South Wales and SOPA, the Qantas partnership highlights how we continue to develop as a commercially viable sport.

Tickets to the Qantas Australian Athletics Tour, and the 91st Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney (NSW) in April, have today been released for public sale.

All tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Please click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

NATIONAL ATHLETICS SERIES (Qantas Australian Athletics Tour dates in bold)
20 Jan 2013 IAAF World Cross Country Selection Trial – Canberra (ACT)
2 Feb 2013 Hunter Track Classic – Newcastle (NSW)
16 Feb 2013 Adelaide Track Classic – Adelaide (SA)
16-17 Feb 2013 Aust. Junior Combined Event Championships -Adelaide (SA)
23 Feb 2013 Briggs Athletics Classic – Hobart (Tas)
24 Feb 2013 Oceania & Aust. 20km Race Walking Championships – Hobart (Tas)
9 Mar 2013 Sydney Track Classic – Sydney (NSW)
12-17 Mar 2013 Australian Junior Athletics Championships – Perth (WA)
16 Mar 2013 Perth Track Classic – Perth (WA)
23 Mar 2013 Queensland Track Classic – Brisbane (Qld)
6 Apr 2013 Qantas Melbourne World Challenge – Melbourne (Vic)
11-14 Apr 2013 91st Australian Athletics Championships & IAAF World Championships Selection Trial – Sydney (NSW)

Athletics Australia – News