Athletics Australia – News – Australia wins two medals at INAS Championships

Australia has performed admirably at the 9th INAS Athletics World Championships, with the team of up and coming athletes with intellectual disabilities delivering two bronze medals, an Australian record and several personal best performances in Prague (CZE).

Leading the charge with an individual medal was Alberto Campbell (Qld) in the men’s 400m, while in the men’s 4x400m relay he joined Matthew Pascoe (Qld), Paul Gilbert (WA) and Terry Price (WA) for bronze in an Australian record time of 3:32.81.

Providing a first experience of major international competition for many athletes on the team, Head Coach Anula Costa was impressed by the professionalism of the athletes involved and by their performances.

“This was the first international event for many of these athletes, their performances on the track and ability to handle overseas travel and compete out of season is a credit to them and their coaches,” Costa said.

Winning two medals, Campbell was the standout performer on the Australian team. 

“I set out to make the final of the 400m and run a PB, to do both and win a medal and break 50 seconds for the first time is amazing,” Campbell said.

Coached by Annette Rice, Campbell has made enormous improvements all year to his 200m and 400m times. With the 400m a potential event for T20 athletes at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janiero (BRA), Campbell has a lot to look forward to in years to come.

Teaming up with Pascoe, Price and Gilbert, Campbell anchored the Australian 4 x 400m relay team for a second bronze medal in an Australian Record time on 3 minutes 32.81 seconds. 

Pascoe got the Australian team off to a great start, handing the baton to Gilbert in third position, a position Gilbert maintained until handing over to Price.  A congested change over zone saw Australia drop back to 5^th position at the final change before Campbell was able to pick up one place on the last leg to finish fourth across the line. 

Officials met following the race and disqualified 4 teams including Australia.  A successful appeal to the track referee saw Australia re-instated some 90 minutes after the event and promoted to third place.

With several eligible athletes not available for the Championships due to the upcoming IPC World Championships, this team was largely a development team.  It was an outstanding performance by the young team, who had recorded a number of personal best performances throughout the Championships. 

Athletics Australia – News

With thanks to Michael Thomson

FULL RESULTS:
Alberto Campbell
400m (heat): 53.19, 1st
400m (final): 49.73, PB, BRONZE
200m (heat): 23.81, 3rd

Tim Foster
100m (heat): 11.99, PB, 5th
200m (heat): 24.24, 6th

Terry Price                   
100m (heat): 12.32, PB, 7th
400m (heat): 55.15, 4th

Thomas Burrows
100m (heat): 12.65, 8th
200m (heat): 25.37, 7th

Paul Gilbert        
800m (heat): 2:01.98, 5th
1500m (heat): 4:36.86, 6th

Drew Semmens
800m (heat): 2:11.55, 7th
1500m (heat): 4:49.30, 11th

Team Australia
4x100m Relay (Price, Burrows, Foster, Campbell): 46.27, 5th
4x400m Relay (Pascoe, Campbell, Price, Gilbert): 3:32.81, 3rd