Athletics: Three added to track and field squad

Three athletes have been added to the track and field contingent of the New Zealand Olympic Games team heading to Athens in August.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC), in conjunction with Athletics New Zealand, announced today that John Henwood (10,000m), Melina Hamilton (pole vault) and Kimberley Smith (5000m) join the five athletes already announced in the team last month.

Henwood set his qualifying mark of 27 minutes 45.98 seconds at Stanford, California in April, bettering his previous best by 12 seconds.

He attended the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 before taking a year off from competition and has returned strongly with performances over 5000 and 10000 metres.

Hamilton is a two-time Commonwealth Games representative from Kuala Lumpur and Manchester and is the national champion for the event.

Her recent season has seen her place 16th at the World Indoors during March this year.

Smith ran a personal best of 15 mins 09.72 secs in California in April to claim her place.

NZOC track and field team to date is:

Valerie Adams, (Shot Put), Craig Barrett (50km walk), Beatrice Faumuina (Discus), Melina Hamilton (Pole Vault), John Henwood (10,000m), Kimberley Smith (5000m), Dale Warrander (Marathon), Jonathon Wyatt (Marathon).

- NZPA