Hot fields for Sydney Grand Prix as athletics takes centre stage

A host of Australia’s Commonwealth Games athletes will compete this Saturday night ahead of Gold Coast 2018, at the Sydney Grand Prix.

Under lights at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre, the track and field will be set alight as our athletics stars continue their final preparations for next month’s Commonwealth Games. The action will complete the penultimate day of competition at the 2018 Australian Junior Athletics Championships

Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said that the NSW Government was pleased to welcome Australia’s athletics elite to Sydney.“I’m excited that athletics fans will be able to see some of the world’s best athletes here in Sydney,” Mr Ayres said.

“Along with strong NSW representation, the Sydney Grand Prix provides athletes with a final chance to prepare for the Commonwealth Games and allows local athletes to compete against some of the world’s best.

“We expect a strong crowd tomorrow night, and I encourage everyone to enjoy the action at Sydney Olympic Park.”

 Three-time Australian champion Brandon Starc (NSW) will lead a quality field in the men’s high jump, which includes compatriot and rival Joel Baden (Vic) and Malaysian pair Lee Hup Wei and Nauraj Singh Randhawa.

Starc said that Saturday night’s Grand Prix was an important step towards his preparations for Gold Coast 2018.

“It’s the first competition since nationals so that it will be good for reassurance of my form, and then I hope to take that forward over the next few weeks to the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“Competing in front of a home crowd is always really special a really good feeling, and I know I’ll get a boost from that support.”

In the form of her career, Anneliese Rubie said that she was hopeful of continuing her momentum after claiming her second Australian 400m title in a competitive time of 51.92. Rubie will compete in the 200m on Saturday night.

“I can’t wait to compete in front of a home crowd at the Sydney Grand Prix on Saturday night,” Rubie said. “It’s always one of my favourite meets to run because it gives you that extra motivation when your family and friends are screaming for you down the home straight. The weather is looking amazing too, and you can’t beat that track on a hot summer’s night.

Rubie ran a 200m personal best in the lead into her recent success at the Australian Championships and so was not short on confidence in her speed.

“I’m hoping to build on that confidence this weekend, and hopefully go even quicker. It’s all the perfect preparation for me – and my family’s cheering skills – going into the Commonwealth Games.”

Teenage sprint sensation Riley Day will line up in 100m and 200m dash and will be up against British Rio Olympic bronze medalist Dina Asher-Smith over the shorter distance.

Another key battle ahead of the Commonwealth Games looms in the women’s discus, with Dani Stevens going head-to-head with Brit Jade Lally who is also an occasional training partner.

Action gets underway from 1800 with a live stream available on the Athletics Australia website and on Facebook.