PREVIEW: Throws | Paris Olympic Games

Matthew Denny arrives in Paris with a national discus record of 69.35m under his belt and aspirations for a podium finish after fourth place at Tokyo 2020. He leads a throws contingent of seven, with 2022 world javelin champion Kelsey-Lee Barber and four-time Olympian Kathryn Mitchell among those joining him in action at the Stade de France.

Overview

Australia’s throws contingent of seven may only be a fraction of the 75-strong Athletics team at Paris 2024, but the weight of their success sees them among our best chances at Stade de France when competition commences on 1 August 2024.

The charge will be led by national discus record holder Denny (QLD, Dale Stevenson), who arrives in the French capital with a new personal best of 69.35m and aspirations for a podium finish after placing fourth in the men’s Discus Throw at both the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the Budapest 2023 World Athletics Championships.

Joining Matthew in the thrower’s circle are Taryn Gollshewsky (QLD, Les Kuorikoski) and Stephanie Ratcliffe (VIC, Don Babbitt). The duo are making their Olympic debut in the women’s Discus Throw and women’s Hammer Throw respectively.

Taryn is a World University Games bronze medallist, while Stephanie is a Harvard University graduate who first donned the green and gold at the World Athletics Championships last year.

Not to be outdone are the four selected javelin throwers taking to the runway in both the men’s and women’s events.

The women’s trio is headlined by Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Kelsey-Lee Barber (Mike Barber), as four-time Olympian Kathryn Mitchell (VIC, Uwe Hohn) and world championships bronze medallist Mackenzie Little (NSW, Angus McEntyre)get set to join her.

Kelsey, who is coached by her husband Mike Barber, is a clutch major event performer. Her trophy cabinet features not only her Olympic medal, but the 2019 and 2022 world crown and three Commonwealth Games medals, including gold at Birmingham 2022.

Kathryn is also coached by her husband, the former javelin world record holder Uwe Hohn, and she has placed among the top-eight at three Olympic Games and won gold at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Mackenzie made her presence felt on the world stage with a throw of 63.38m for bronze at Budapest 2023. She descends on Paris 2024 having balanced her extensive training with gruelling shifts as a doctor at Royal North Shore Hospital after graduating from the University of Sydney in 2023.

In the men’s Javelin Throw, Cameron McEntyre will fly the flag on Olympic debut having previously thrown at two World Athletics Championships and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Australia has won three medals in throws events at the Olympic Games, with Barber joined by Atlanta 1996 Olympic javelin silver medallist Louise Currey and Barcelona 1992 Olympic discus bronze medallist Daniela Costian.

Ones to Watch

Australian 
Discus thrower Matthew Denny aspires to become the first Australian male to medal in a throws event at the Olympic Games.
A three-time finalist with a top-eight finish in the women’s Javelin Throw on every occasion, Kathryn Mitchell could join Barber and Currey as an Olympic medallist via a strong performance at Paris 2024.
Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania arrives at Paris 2024 as the world record holder for the men’s Discus Throw after a 74.35m throw in April 2024.

Sport Format

A three-throw qualification round, with the top-12 athletes advancing to the final.

All 12 competitors have three initial throws in the final, with the top-eight afforded an additional three throws based on rankings after three rounds to determine the winner.

Competition Schedule

Athletics begins on 1 August 2024 with the men’s and women’s race walk at the Trocadero.

Track and field will be held at Stade de France hosts from 2-10 August.

The men’s and women’s marathon will be held on 10 and 11 August respectively.

By Cody Lynch, Athletics Australia and Australian Olympic Committee
Posted 29/07/2024