BOL, DE ROZARIO & MARSCHALL TO HEADLINE COMMONWEALTH GAMES TEAM IN BIRMINGHAM

The first 32 members of the Australian Athletics Team bound for Birmingham have been announced with eight West Australians set to don the green and gold.

WA athletes will headline the team with 2018 Commonwealth Games Champions Madison de Rozario OAM and Kurtis Marschall, and Olympic Games finalist Peter Bol all bound for Birmingham.

De Rozario and Bol have continued to set solid performances over the first half of 2022. Bol continues to impress on the world stage with second in the Men’s 800m at the Wanda Diamond League in Doha over the weekend. While De Rozario placed third in the Boston Marathon earlier in April as she builds toward Birmingham.

The Men’s Pole Vault competition has been making headlines over the last 18 months with young gun Armand Duplantis setting a string of World Records. However, WA’s Kurtis Marschall is ready to take that spotlight come Birmingham. As the Number One ranked Commonwealth jumper, Marschall has both the title and the Men’s Commonwealth Games record in his sight.

“I am feeling pretty confident that I can maintain the gold. I know Britain’s got a few jumpers also in the top 15, so it will be a great battle. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top, but I will be looking to push and break Steve [Hooker’s] 5.80m Games Record.” Marschall said.

“We’ve made some adjustments over the last few weeks, and I am feeling fast. For Tokyo, I didn’t have the lead up that I have had this year. I was a little bit spooked when I got to the Olympics. But this year is totally different. I am off to Europe to do a few Diamond Leagues and compete with the best. I will get some solid hit outs and be ready for the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.”

Also returning to the team are 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games medallists Nina Kennedy and Rhiannon Clarke. Clarke will be looking to improve on her 2018 Silver Medal in the Para Women’s 100m, while Kennedy will be going for gold in the Women’s Pole Vault after winning Bronze in 2018. Ella Pardy returns for her third Commonwealth Games and will be lining up against Clarke in the Para Women's 100m. 

Sarah Edmiston and Robyn Lambird will make their Commonwealth Games Debut in Birmingham. Both athletes boast Paralympic medals and will be looking to back up their Tokyo 2020 Bronze Medals with more silverware in August.

“It’s awesome, but a little nerve-racking as I’ve never competed in front of a crowd that size. Tokyo was great, but I’m excited to race and compete in a stadium with that energy from the crowd. I’m looking forward to getting out there and enjoying the experience, then hopefully getting back onto the podium.” Lambird said.

“Making my [Australian team] debut in Tokyo was awesome, but this is a little more special. Most of my family live in England, so I’m excited that they will be able to come and see me. The Paralympics is the pinnacle of my sport, but I’ve been hanging out to race in front of them.”

WA Selected Athletes – Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Ella Pardy (Danny Kevan) - Women's 100m T38

Kurtis Marschall (Paul Burgess) – Men’s Pole Vault

Madison de Rozario OAM (Louise Sauvage OAM) – Women’s Marathon T54 & 1500m T53

Nina Kennedy (Paul Burgess) – Women’s Pole Vault

Peter Bol (Justin Rinaldi) – Men’s 800m

Rhiannon Clarke (Danny Kevan) – Women’s 100m T38

Robyn Lambird (Blanche Herbert) – Women’s 100m T34

Sarah Edmiston (Paul Edmiston)- Women’s Discus F42

Featuring 11 Commonwealth Games medallists, including four defending champions, the team selected thus far includes Australia's best track and field talent, all of whom have received automatic selection or invitations to compete in Birmingham. To see the complete team announcement, head to Athletics Australia's Team Announcement HERE.

Athletics has been held at every Commonwealth Games since they were first held in 1930. Para-athletics were added to the program at the Victoria 1994 Commonwealth Games, then returning at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Australia and England are vying to become the first nation to win 200 gold medals in athletics at the Commonwealth Games. Australia is also on track to win its 500th athletics medal in Birmingham.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held from Thursday 28 July to Monday 8 August with the Athletics competitions to be conducted from Tuesday 2 August through to Sunday 7 August, with the competitions to be held at Alexander Stadium.

For more information, contact Athletics West at admin@athleticswest.com.au or call 08 6272 0480.

By David Smith, Athletics West
Extra reporting by Athletics Australia

Posted: 16/5/2022