Minister for Sport Mark Arbib today encouraged Australians to get behind our athletes as they compete in the Qantas Melbourne Track Classic on the weekend.

Senator Arbib said the event was extremely important for competitors as it was the fourth leg of the Australian Athletics Tour and would serve as the Olympic nomination trial.

“We are only five months away from the Games and I am sure everybody is keen to find out how our athletes are building towards London,” Senator Arbib said.

“We have already seen great results for Australian athletes in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney and our athletes will be just as determined in Melbourne.

“As well as serving as the Olympic nomination trial, the Classic will be round one of the IAAF World Challenge.”

Senator Arbib said the Melbourne Track Classic would feature some of our best athletes including hurdlers Sally Pearson and Lauren Boden, pole vaulter Alana Boyd, discus throwers Dani Samuels and Benn Harradine, long and middle distance runners Collis Birmingham, Craig Mottram, Tamsyn Manou and many more.

“I would also like to congratulate Athletics Australia for attracting a fantastic line up of international athletes with David Rudisha (world 800m champion and record holder) and Asbel Kiprop (Olympic and world 1500m champion) set to compete and hopefully spur our athletes onto bigger and better achievements, ” Senator Arbib said.

President of Athletics Australia Rob Fildes OAM said Athletics Australia was very excited about this weekend and thanked the Australian Government for its continued support in ensuring events like this were possible for Australia’s best athletes at home.

“As the Olympic trial it is a fantastic opportunity for Australian track and field fans to support their stars on the road to London,” Mr Fildes said.

“Not to mention, with the support of the IAAF through sanctioning this meet as a World Challenge event we are lucky to attract a high calibre of international starters too.”

The Australian Government is a strong supporter of Athletics providing more than $7 million with $5.5 million allocated for High Performance to Athletics Australia.

The Government has also provided $3.85 million in targeted funding to support our best Olympic and Paralympic athletes to prepare for London 2012 under the Green and Gold project with Athletics Australia receiving an additional $185,000.

Minister’s Media Contact Sean Sammon 0417 137 419