Anstey to debut at the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships

US-based middle distance runner Jack Anstey is set to make his Australian team debut when he competes at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia this weekend.

Athletics Australia confirmed his selection to the Australian team, following Stewart McSweyn’s withdrawal from the Championships late last week.

Anstey had been selected as a non-travelling reserve, after a breakthrough performance saw the 25-year-old run 3:38.65 (under the automatic qualifying standard) over 1500m at an indoor meet in Boston last month. With Australian middle distance a golden era, he thought it would be some time yet before he would have the opportunity to wear the green and gold for the first time.

“It’s a pretty surreal feeling to be selected for my first Australian team. It was obviously very unfortunate that Stewy had to withdraw as he was a real medal chance, but I’m stoked to get an opportunity and it’s one that I won’t be taking for granted.”

Anstey received his call up within days of landing back in Australia for domestic competition, with his plan to compete at last weekend’s Sydney Track Classic before preparing for the Australian Track and Field Championships.

“It’s all happened very quickly. I live in America full time and jumped on a plane last week to come home for a month to get in some domestic racing,” he said.

“I found out I was selected as soon as I touched down in Australia, which was pretty funny. I was over the moon with the news, and we worked quickly to come up with a plan to get me back overseas.”

Hailing from Toowoomba, Anstey made a late start to his running career, but has made steady improvement over both the 800m and 1500m. In early 2017, he took up an athletics scholarship in the USA, enrolling in a Kinesiology degree at Illinois State University. He won his first track race, an indoor 800m for his college team, the Red Birds and has made been edging closer to his Australian team debut ever since.

“Obviously with it being my first major Championships, just having the experience is going to be massive, however, I really do want to make the final.

“I’ve been rounding into some nice form this indoor season and have already raced a lot of the guys who I will be racing in Belgrade. If I can sneak into that final, anything is possible, especially in the 1500m which is an unpredictable event.”

Athletics Australia General Manager, High Performance Andrew Faichney congratulated Anstey on his selection stating:

“Jack joins the Australian team at a particularly exciting time for Australian middle distance running, and will no doubt build on his trajectory by competing in the 1500m alongside Australian indoor record holder and Olympian Ollie Hoare.

“We’re looking forward to seeing him compete and learning from what will be a great experience with the Australian team.”

Anstey’s inclusion to the Australian team, will see a 15-strong team represent Australia in Serbia, following the withdrawals of Stewart McSweyn and Nina Kennedy.

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 16/3/2022