Diamond League champion Denny to headline Chemist Warehouse Adelaide Invitational

The start of an Olympic and Paralympic year calls for the big guns of athletics, and in Australia they come no bigger than discus king Matthew Denny, who has today been confirmed for next month’s Chemist Warehouse Adelaide Invitational.

A marquee event on the Australian athletics calendar, the Adelaide Invitational on Saturday February 10 is the first meet of the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series in 2024, and for the reigning Diamond League winner with a new Australian record of 68.43m - that means launching the season with a bang.

“Last year ended very well for me, and I want to kick off the year with a solid distance. The Adelaide Invitational has always offered up great conditions, a very good crowd and it’s always been a fun meet to compete at,” Denny said.

While last season ended on a high with the coveted Diamond League trophy for the two-time Olympian, Denny says the Adelaide meet will serve as an important step towards the ultimate crown – Olympic gold in Paris.

“Last year I began the year with a 64m throw in Adelaide, which isn’t a bad opener but I’m definitely aiming for something strong to kick off the campaign for Paris and show off the work I’ve done in these last few training blocks,” Denny said.

Having fallen painfully short of Olympic bronze in Tokyo by just five centimetres, Denny said last year was a turning point in his self-belief and his motivation.

“For me, the Olympics isn’t just about medals. I know I’m not going to be happy walking away with just a medal, it’s about winning.  It’s going to be a big year, and we’re in a hyper-competitive era for the Men’s Discus, so I want to make a strong presence this year and from the outset,” Denny said.

“That’s the goal; we have set the standards high for where we want to be at certain times this year, and that’s the standard we hold.”

Denny’s campaign will begin with world-class competition as he steps into the cage alongside Commonwealth Games silver medallist and former NFL defensive tackle, Lawrence Okoye (GBR, 68.24m) and his compatriot Nicholas Percy (65.00m), as well as five-time global medallist, Paralympian Guy Henly (53.99m).

Adelaide locals Darcy Miller (54.27) and Lachlan Page (57.56), along with Miller’s World Under 20 Championships teammate Etienne Rousseau (55.16) will take the opportunity to learn from the world’s toughest competitors alongside the giants of the sport.  

The Chemist Warehouse Adelaide Invitational is a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze level meet, providing a key qualification opportunity for athletes vying for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and those seeking crucial World Athletics ranking points.

The meet is supported by Chemist Warehouse, FIVEaa and Four Pillars Gin, and will take place at SA Athletics Stadium at Mile End from 6.30pm ACDT on February 10. Further local support has been generously provided by City-Bay Run Trust, Copyworld Toshiba, Des’s Minibus, LK and Chaffey Bros Wine Co.

Tickets can be purchased HERE.

The Chemist Warehouse Adelaide Invitational will be streamed live and free on 7plus.

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 22/1/2024