Athletes almost set - Opportunity knocks for Aussies

The athletics program of the 21st Commonwealth Games kicks off tomorrow on the Gold Coast with the 107-strong Australian team ready to shine on home soil.

Carrara Stadium will host the field and track events, while the race walks will be held on a loop course on the Currumbin Beachfront on Sunday morning (8 April). The seven-day program will conclude on Sunday 15 April with the marathons at the Southport Broadwater Parklands.

At the last Commonwealth Games held in Australia - in Melbourne 2006 - Australia bagged a bounty of medals to top the charts ahead of Jamaica, Kenya and England. It is with a huge sense of anticipation that similar success awaits the 2018 team as they hope to take advantage of all the thrill and excitement a home Games brings.

And it’s this opportunity that Head Coach Craig Hilliard is relishing.

“All the athletes are looking forward to competing in front of the home crowd. And the mood in the team camp is great. ”

“In Melbourne, there were almost 100,000 every night. And for the athletes, it was an unbelievable feeling. They’re out there in the middle with the aura and the buzz and that gives you that extra 10%.”

For many members of the relatively youthful team, with an average age of under 25, the Commonwealth Games will be the launching pad of a successful international career.

“You can go back through the history books and see athletes who have performed well at Commonwealths and then go on to outstanding international careers, Steve Hooker, Nathan Deakes and the like,” said Hilliard.

“For the athletes that are knocking on the door, this is an opportunity to make a mark for themselves. Those on the precipice of medals have a chance to move into the medals and those who are in thirds and seconds moving into gold.”

On the prospect of these golden contenders, Hilliard was sensing a strong showing.

“We've got more than a half a dozen or so who have been performing particularly well through this domestic season and the international season last year, including our para-athletes, and we have a host of strong chances.”

“Having the trials up here was so important for the athletes could get used to the stadium. The conditions, wind direction, the sun, and the general feel for the whole warm-up track and procedures you have to go through. That was important and I'm glad we pushed for it. I think that's a real advantage.”

In Games history, England has been the most successful team leading the way with 189 gold medals just six ahead of Australia and understandably with a parochial crowd behind then, Hilliard wants to beat them.

“We want to take down England of course, that's always on the cards. We can't predict what they're going to do. We don't know exactly what shape their team is in. And we don't know what shape other countries are in which is always hard to guess.”

“The biggest thing for me is if athletes can repeat the performances they were selected on, notwithstanding the tactical nature of distance events. The capacity to repeat and repeat under pressure is what everyone wants to see.“

Australian javelin-thrower Kathryn Mitchell spearheads a group of five expectant Australians who will compete at a record-equalling fourth Games. The in-form Mitchell will be joined by stalwarts of the team, Eloise Wellings (5000m/10000m), Lauren Wells (400m hurdles/long jump), Benn Harradine (discus) and Fabrice Lapierre (long jump).

With the withdrawal of Sally Pearson, three Australians will defend their title from Glasgow 2014, and Angela Ballard (T54 1500m), Dani Stevens (discus) and Michael Shelley (marathon) all arrive on the Gold Coast in great shape and eager to add more silverware to their already extensive collections.

Whilst Pearson’s absence is a bitter disappointment for her and the entire team, Hilliard now sees this as an opportunity, especially for the young team members.

“Sally is respected by all the athletes and some of the younger ones are in awe of her.”

Pearson’s decision to stay with the team throughout the Games to lend support and give the young members of the team encouragement is a real strength of the situation according to Hilliard.

“She doesn't have to be doing a lot but just her presence around them and around their personal coaches, I think it's going to be huge in terms of that athlete's capacity to cope with the different situations that will arise and to cope with the day of competition.”

“And even just a friendly wave here and there and a “good luck” could make a huge difference.”

Gold medal hopefuls Dane Bird-Smith and Beki Smith lead the way tomorrow when the action commences at in the 20km race walk for men and women at 7:00am and 9:30am respectively.

The afternoon session will see the first stadium medals up for grabs as Australia is a strong chance with Matt Denny in the men’s hammer and Erin Cleaver in the T38 Long Jump.

Pat Birgan for Athletics Australia

Statistics and superlatives courtesy David Tarbotton

Athletes in Action on Day 1

For the most up-to-date schedule and start lists check the Athletics Daily Schedule at Gold Coast 2018

Follow all the action of the XXI Commonwealth Games

The 2018 Commonwealth Games will be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, from Wednesday 4 April to Sunday 15 April 2018.

Athletics action kicks off on Sunday 8 April and continues until Sunday 15 April.

• Athletics Australia on Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Media Guide for 2018 Commonwealth Games (PDF)
• Commonwealth Games Australia
• Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games - Schedule and Results | Games Records | Entry Lists

Tickets 

You can still buy athletics tickets for Gold Coast Commonwealth Games including for finals sessions;

Don’t miss your chance to witness world-class competition live and cheer on the Aussie team.

TV and Digital

The Seven Network will broadcast content on all three of their TV channels - 7, 7TWO and 7Mate.

You can download the 7CommGames app from both the Google Play and Apple store or watch via the website version.

The app and website will have all events on TV and every medal event live, in full and available for free. 

Athletics will be hosted by a huge team of athletics specialist led by Bruce McAvaney and include Lord Sebastian Coe, Dave Culbert, Steve Hooker, Tamsyn Lewis. 

With Pat Welsh trackside and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor and Jane Flemming providing additional commentary.

How to listen on radio

ABC Local and Regional Stations â€“ Updates throughout the day with live continuous
coverage from 7.00 pm
The ABC Listen App â€“ on Google Play and Apple store featuring a dedicated Commonwealth Games channel
Grandstand Digital DAB+ â€“ broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
ABC Online â€“ ABC Grandstand will stream its Games coverage

Karen Tighe will host the broadcast with Quentin Hill covering Athletics along with Australia’s fastest man, Patrick Johnson providing expert commentary.