2009/2010 Athletics Tasmania Season Launch

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16 Oct 2009

Only a few short years ago, Tristan Thomas was a Hobart school student with dreams of representing his country in athletics.

Now, he will enter the 2009/2010 Australian athletics season as a draw card to any track and field competition.  In the past twelve months, Thomas has been crowned World University Games Champion, made the semi finals at the World Championships in Athletics in the 400m hurdles and took home a bronze medal at the World Championships as part of the Australian 4 x 400m relay team. 

He also became a giant killer, when he beat the then World Champion, Bershawn Jackson, at the Sydney Track Classic in February, clocking the second fastest ever time by an Australian in the 400m hurdles.

Yesterday, Thomas was back where it all began, at the Domain Athletics Centre in Hobart, to officially launch the 2009/2010 Athletics Tasmania season.

Athletics Tasmania has secured several major events on the national calendar for the upcoming season, including the largest track & field competition in the country.  Combined with the Commonwealth Games being less than 12 months away, competition is set to be hot throughout Australia and Tasmania.

Season highlights will include;

a.      2009 School Knockout Competition starting next week

b.      2009 Tasmanian All Schools Track & Field, selection trials for;

c.       2009 UTAS Australian All Schools and Youth Championships, December 4-7

d.      Interclub competition in 3 Tasmanian venues

e.      Christmas carnivals on the North West Coast and TAL meets

f.        Cadbury Marathon on January 10

g.      Briggs Athletics Classic on Friday February 12

h.      Australian Combined Events Championships on February 13/14

i.        Commonwealth Games Selection Trials 20km Road Walks February 13

j.        Tasmanian Track & Field Championships 20/21 March Launceston and 27/28 March in Hobart