Ballarat athletes will get their opportunity to shine this week as the Rio Olympic focus shifts from the pool to the athletics track.
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Six of Ballarat’s most prominent athletes will take to the track over the coming week in search of Olympic glory.
First up will be javelin thrower Kathryn Mitchell, who will take to the field on Wednesday morning in attempt to qualify for the final.
The former Ballarat High School student has been impressive in the lead up to Rio, regularly placing in the top three at events on the International Association of Athletics Federation’s Diamond League.
It will be Mitchell’s second time representing Australia at the Olympics, and she will be out to better her ninth-place at the 2012 London games.
Also taking to the track on Wednesday will be 800-metre runner Selma Kajan, who is competing in her first Olympics. The Sydney-born athlete is the partner of well-known Ballarat distance runner Collis Birmingham, and has called Ballarat home for the past three years.
Rounding out the Ballarat contingent on Wednesday will be Eureka Athletic Club member Brett Robinson, who will compete for a place in the final of the 5000m.
On Friday Ballarat’s most high-profile competitor Jared Tallent will be out to go back-to-back in the 50-kilometre walk after receiving the gold medal from the London Games earlier this year.
Tallent will be hoping to overcome a hamstring injury in time for the race after pulling out of the 20km event last week.
Tallent’s younger sister Rachel will be the final Ballarat athlete to compete in Rio for the week when she tackles the 20km walk on Saturday in her first Olympic appearance.
Ryan Gregson was also due compete in the 1500m heat on Tuesday night.
