Ashes Style Showdown Looms as Aussies Target 2012
Australian stars including WAIS Olympic pole vault champion Steve Hooker and 100m hurdles silver medallist Sally McLellan look set to take on England’s best in an ‘Ashes’ style athletics challenge commencing next year and continuing in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Elite teams from England and Australia will go head to head next September (Saturday 19 September) at Newcastle-Gateshead Quayside, the venue which hosts the world’s largest half-marathon, the Bupa Great North Run.
It will be the first time the two nations have met in a dual athletics meeting at senior level.
The innovative event, the Great North ‘City Games’, will take athletics ‘to the streets’ with a specially constructed four-lane two hundred metre sprint track. The venue will host sprints, sprint hurdles, pole vault, high jump and shot put whilst a one mile street circuit will be able to cater for middle-distance events.
The concept was tested earlier this year in conjunction with the Bupa Great North Run, and was extremely popular amongst spectators, athletes and television alike, with world 100m champion Lauryn Williams (USA) and Great Britain’s Harry Aikines-Aryeetey emerging victorious.
The event is a legacy from the HBA Great Australian Run and will continue the evolving partnership between event organisers Nova International and Athletics Australia.
Olympic gold medallist Steve Hooker said he was looking forward to the chance to showcase his skills on the streets.
“There has always been a strong rivalry between England and Australia – in athletics and all other sports. The whole concept is fantastic, the country v country format doesn’t happen that often in athletics and to have this in the lead up to London 2012 is great news.”
“Street pole vaults are very popular in Europe. It’s fun for both the athletes and the spectators and it reaches a broader audience.”
Hooker also highlighted that there was a one-day international cricket match between the two nations just prior to the meet next year, “maybe we can go and support the cricketers and they can come and watch us.”
Beijing 100m hurdles silver medallist Sally McLellan was just as excited about the concept.
“I am always up for a challenge and this is really different. I like the idea especially to compete in a different environment with the fans so close,” McLellan said.
“Next season I want to work more on keeping up my racing form after the main championship for the year, so this meet being right at the end will give me even more experience at doing that.”
Athletics Australia president Rob Fildes is confident the event will promote athletics and its stars to a wider audience.
“Athletics Australia is delighted to be part of a venture that will help raise the profile of the sport both here and overseas. As we draw closer to London 2012, athletics needs to remain innovative and current to ensure it continues to entice participants, spectators and financial support and retain its position as the No. 1 Olympic sport,” said Fildes.
“We have already developed a strong working relationship with Nova International through the extremely successful HBA Great Australian Run and we look forward to continuing this partnership.”
“The event will also provide a boost to our recently launched Target 2012 squad, as the event will give them the chance to compete in the UK in the lead up to the London Games.”
Nova International Chairman and 1976 Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist Brendan Foster said, “We are really excited to be staging this innovative sporting concept in an iconic city centre venue featuring intense historical rivalry between the old enemies.”
“In the past by definition, track and field has taken place in a stadium or an indoor arena. Being primarily a road running company, we have always been aware how attractive these events are wherever we stage them.
“We experimented with the 100m sprints last October and they attracted plenty of support with spectators enjoying how close they could be to athletes who, at a stadium, they would only see from a distance.
“Although there will always be a place for the traditional track and field meetings, we believe athletics can receive a massive boost in both popularity and attracting new faces into the sport.”
England star Jeanette Kwakye, the first British woman to reach the Olympic 100m final for 24 years in August, believes the format has the potential to excite national loyalties amongst spectators and raise interest even amongst the less knowledgeable observer attracted to what will be easily accessible, free events.
“The idea of an England versus Australia match is fantastic. There are masses of Aussies in this country and with their fervent patriotism and desire to beat us at absolutely everything, I’m sure they’ll come along in big numbers to spectate,” Kwakye said.
“This could really start off a new rivalry between us, just like there is for the cricket and the rugby. I’m definitely interested.”
– Athletics Australia