Swarm of NZ athletes on Australian circuit

SYDNEY - Olympic year and the absence of two traditional domestic meets means New Zealand athletes will have an increased presence in Australia this summer, starting with the Grand Prix meet in Canberra on Saturday.

Eight New Zealand athletes will compete at the meet, the first of a series of opportunities in Australia this year to post Olympic qualifying performances.

The Kiwis are Chantal Brunner (100m, long jump), Jane Arnott (400m), Tasha Williams (hammer), Tania Lutton (shot put) Mark Rogers (800m B race), Ian Winchester (discus), Callum Taylor (400m) and Craig Barrett (20km walk).

Barrett is the only athlete in the group to have achieved a New Zealand Games qualifying standard.

Athletics New Zealand director of high performance Steve Hollings said the Sydney Olympic carrot and the requirement to prove consistency of performance meant the black singlet would be a common sight in Australian meets this year.

Another factor was the cancellation of this year's Robin Tait Classic and Porritt Classic.

Hollings said it was unlikely any Kiwis would cross the Tasman for events in Hobart and Perth this month as they clashed with domestic competition. But a large contingent had shown an interest in Grand Prix fixtures at Brisbane and Sydney on February 11 and 13 respectively.

He expected a record number of Kiwis to attend the Australian championships, which double as an Olympic test event at Stadium Australia from February 24-26.

There is an international meet in Melbourne on March 4-5 and the Grand Prix season ends with the final in Adelaide on March 9.

Later in the year, Athletics New Zealand is expected to take advantage of an invitation to send desperate athletes to Australia's final Games trials at the Olympic stadium from August 16-19.

- NZPA