Athletics Australia – News – Distance squad of nine set to blaze straight in Daegu

Australian 1500m champion Jeff Riseley faces a tough decision upon arriving in the IAAF world championships athlete village today, with the 24-year-old set to make a call on whether to compete in the 800m, the 1500m or both when competition commences in Daegu (KOR) next Saturday, August 27.

Riseley is one of only three athletes, the others being Sally Pearson (100m, 100m hurdles) and Ben St Lawrence (5000m, 10,000m), selected to compete in multiple individual events, with a close assessment of the timetable with coach Nic Bideau set to decide which event or events Riseley will compete. 

“I haven’t really made up my mind about whether I will do both, the timetable is tough but I will chat with my coach in the village in the next couple of days and make a call from there,” Riseley said.

“My year has been tracking really well, I expected the qualifier in the 1500m, I knew that it was something I was more than capable of. The 800m was a bit more of a surprise but I was in shape at the race where I ran the 1:45.02 and just went for it when I had my chance.”

“I do want to compete better than what I have been here [Daegu] though, the race in Monaco didn’t see me finish where I know I can and I want to change that at world championships whichever event I run in. I haven’t missed a training session in ten months and now just want to convert my hard work to strong results.

“I’ll should make the final if I run like I know I can, it’s a good stepping stone as I look ahead to London and that’s a step I need to take.” 

A further eight athletes competing in middle distance events and the marathon join Riseley on the Australian Flame team, with Youcef Abdi (3000m SC), Collis Birmingham (5000m), Ryan Gregson (1500m), Jeff Hunt (marathon), Kaila McKnight (1500m), Craig Mottram (5000m), Eloise Wellings (10,000m) and St Lawrence all set to start.

Abdi made the 3000m steeplechase final at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and only weeks ago clocked his second fastest time (8:16.41) for the event, Hunt finished 13^th in the marathon at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, while Birmingham, Mottram and St Lawrence arrive in Daegu with 5000m season best performances of 13:15.70, 13:10.08 and 13:11.51 respectively. 

McKnight made her debut with the Australian Flame in the 1500m at last year’s Commonwealth Games, Wellings is the Australian 10,000m champion and Gregson made history in 2010 by lowering the national 1500m record to 3:31.06.

“The distance ranks are looking pretty good, I don’t think Australia has had as much depth as it does at the moment for quite some time” Riseley explained. 

“Take a look at this team alone and there are major championship medallists, national record holders and a swag of Australian titles.”

Looking forward to competing first and foremost, Riseley, who sits third on the 800m Australian all-time list, is also excited by how strong the Australian Flame is in 2011.

“Personally, I can’t wait to get out there and compete but from a team perspective things are looking really good,” Riseley continued. 

“Mitch (Watt) has been killing it, Sally (Pearson) can’t seem to lose and we have two defending champions that are more than able of continuing their world title winning streak.

“This team is capable of great things and when you think about how the Olympics are now less than 12 months away that’s very positive for the sport.” 

The 2011 IAAF world championships begin in just six days, with Riseley set to lead the green and gold distance charge in the first round of the men’s 800m in the afternoon session on day one.

For more information on the 2011 IAAF world championships including Australian Flame team information, athlete profiles, news and results, please visit athletics.com.au. 

IAAF world championships
Daegu (KOR)
August 27 – September 4, 2011

Saturday, August 27:
M 800m (R1): Jeff Riseley (Vic)
W 10,000m (F): Eloise Wellings (NSW)

Sunday, August 28:
W 1500m (R1): Kaila McKnight (Vic)
M 800m (SF): Jeff Riseley (Vic)
M 10,000m (F): Ben St Lawrence (NSW)

Tuesday, August 30:
M 1500m (R1): Ryan Gregson (NSW), Jeff Riseley (Vic)
W 1500m (SF): Kaila McKnight (Vic)
M 800m (F): Jeff Riseley (Vic)

Thursday, September 1:
M 5000m (R1): Collis Birmingham (Vic), Craig Mottram (Vic), Ben St Lawrence (NSW)
M 3000m SC (F): Youcef Abdi (NSW)
W 1500m (F): Kaila McKnight (Vic) 

Saturday, September 3:
M 1500m (F): Ryan Gregson (NSW), Jeff Riseley (Vic)

Sunday, September 4:
M Marathon: Jeff Hunt (NSW)
M 5000m (F): Collis Birmingham (Vic), Craig Mottram (Vic), Ben St Lawrence (NSW)

 

Athletics Australia – News