BALLARAT javelin legend Kathryn Mitchell is off to her fifth Commonwealth Games after being selected in the Australian athletics team to compete at next month's event in Birmingham.
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Mitchell, who turns 40 next month, was named as one of 53 athletes added to the squad which will mean 85 Australians will take to the track and field events.
Mitchell is the reigning Commonwealth Games gold medalist and recently returned to competing after an extended lay-off after the Olympic Games where she finished sixth.
"I never imaged I would go to that many," Mitchell said of her selection.
"As reigning champion, I'm honoured to be selected as part of a quality team in the javelin.
"Commonwealth Games is an honourable event. Australia has such a strong history which I believe creates a unique team vibe."
Mitchell will lead an incredibly strong women's javelin contingent with Olympic bronze medalist Kelsey-Lee Barber and fellow Olympic finalist Mackenzie Little all named. The trio were the top three performing Commonwealth athletes at the Tokyo Olympics and could possibly pick up all three medals.
Commonwealth Games Australia Team Chef de Mission Petria Thomas said she was thrilled to announce the latest selections.
"This is an exciting group who are ready to be bold in gold at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham," Thomas said.
"Today's selections are a wonderful mixture of defending gold medal champions, experienced campaigners, and the next generation who are ready to establish themselves on the world stage.
"Australia has enjoyed a tremendous legacy in athletics at the Commonwealth Games, and I know the Team Members selected today are ready to add their names to that storied history."
Former Ballarat Clarendon College student Stewart McSweyn has also been named in the team to compete in the 1500m.
McSweyn, the Australian record holder has been battling illness for much of the year after complications from his third COVID jab in January.
However, he has done enough to earn selection for the team and will look to hit his best form at the World Championships, followed by the Commonwealth Games
Ballarat high jumper Yual Reath, 22, was not selected in the team, however, he still has some time to reach the qualifying mark of 2.33m with a number of under-23 events underway in Ireland and England.
Ballarat Regional Athletics Centre hub manager congratulated Mitchell and McSweyn on behalf of Ballarat's athletics community.
"Congratulations to Eureka Athletics Club athlete Kathryn Mitchell who today was selected to represent Australia at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England," Anderson said.
"Good luck to Mitchell and all the Australian athletes and a special shout out to Stewart McSweyn, another Ballarat connection who was selected to compete in the 1500m in Birmingham."
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held from July 29 to August 8 with the athletics competitions to be conducted from Tuesday 2 August through to Sunday 7 August at Alexander Stadium.
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