Sydney to host inaugural Australian Short Track Athletics Championships

A new format of athletics will arrive in Australia with the inaugural Australian Short Track Athletics Championships set to be staged in Sydney on February 1, strengthening the qualification hopes of Australian athletes in 2025.

Hosted at the iconic Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre, the one-day championships approved by World Athletics will host 60m and 60m hurdle events, along with high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump and shot put – underscoring Athletics Australia’s commitment to elevating domestic competition opportunities.

Athletes will be vying for bolstered world ranking points as a ‘D’ category world ranking competition ahead of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China from March 21-23 and World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan from September 13-21.

The four-hour program is set to be compelling viewing with Olympic 100m sprinter Joshua Azzopardi welcoming the new initiative and throwing down the gauntlet to his Australian rivals.

“It’s going to help us heaps with rankings points. I know the rest of the world have their Indoor Nationals and they always have a few 60’s in their top five scores which contribute to world rankings for the 100m, so hopefully we can boost our scores,” Azzopardi said.

“I’m definitely putting my name up there for the top spot at Nationals and if anyone else wants to come challenge me, then let’s go.”

Formerly referred to as indoor by World Athletics, short track was introduced in November 2023 and encompasses performances achieved on a 200m oval track facility as opposed to a standard 400m oval track facility, and events held outside of traditional environments (street races, town square events).

Given Australia currently does not have a competition-ready 200m short track facility, World Athletics has granted a permit for the first Australian Short Track Athletics Championships to be held on a regular 400m track in events not requiring a banked 200m track – levelling the playing field for Australian athletes gunning to qualify for the World Athletics Indoor Championships and World Athletics Championships.

Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer Simon Hollingsworth says the first instalment of the championships is an innovative stepping-stone to the more established editions conducted in the northern hemisphere, and will only add to the competition footprint of Australian athletics.

“With Australia’s athletes continuing their rise on the global athletics scene, we’re excited to give them a further opportunity to make their mark in short track athletics,” Hollingsworth said.

“Despite not having a short track or indoor facility in Australia, we have achieved considerable success at the global level and we’re hoping with the introduction of this meet, that this success can continue and grow.

“As the sport advances in this country, we look forward to working with state and territory governments to identify opportunities to introduce short-track facilities. We have no doubt that the introduction of a short track will be embraced by athletes and our fans. They would also have significant community benefits suitable for schools and junior sport”

Australia has enjoyed a rich history at the World Athletics Indoor Championships with seven individuals winning gold including hurdling legend Sally Pearson, pole vault icon Steve Hooker, Tamsyn Manou and most recently Nicola Olyslagers in 2024.

The inaugural Australian Short Track Athletics Championships are part of the 2025 Chemist Warehouse Australian Summer of Athletics, with more information available HERE.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia 
Posted 22/11/2024