Sport
Athletics
Glamour sprinters, marathon mums, pole power: 10 athletics events you can’t miss
The athletics program for Paris 2024 kicks off on Thursday, with plenty of drama and intrigue – and potential world records – to watch out for.
- by Michael Gleeson
Latest
‘It has to be pretty’: Why the Paris athletics track is purple
In a country that defines style and class, that brought the world couture, the French have added their own touch to the track by making it purple.
- by Michael Gleeson
This Australian medal hope looked down at his foot. It was pointing the wrong way
Kurtis Marschall’s description of the injury that almost ruined his Olympic hopes is not for the squeamish.
- by Michael Gleeson
‘That surprised her’: How Jess Hull plotted to take on the greatest 1500m runner of all time
Two extraordinary runs, six days apart, have made the world believe the Australian could be the one to bridge the gap on the imperious Faith Kipyegon.
- by Michael Gleeson
Three golds, a record and controversy: Australians dominate at pre-Olympics athletics meet
Mackenzie Little set a new personal best en route to gold in the javelin, Nina Kennedy won in the pole vault for the fifth consecutive time and Oli Hoare took gold in a controversial running of the Emsley Carr Mile.
- by Claire Siracusa
Opinion
Five Minutes with Fitz
‘I don’t just want to be an Olympian, I want to be a successful one’
Australia’s fastest woman tells Peter FitzSimons how she has made her dreams a reality so far - and how there’s still plenty more to achieve.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Updated
Paris 2024
Aussie star backed to break Olympic drought after stunning world record run
Jessica Hull stunned the athletics world with a blistering run in the 2km in Monaco, less than a month from Paris 2024.
- by Iain Payten
How Torrie Lewis became Australia’s fastest woman
She could have been a gymnast, and she could have represented England or Jamaica. But “sliding doors″ moments set Lewis to run for Australia in Paris.
- by Michael Gleeson
A plane seat next to Kochie changed his life. Now he wants to win Paris Paralympics
If not for sport, and a chance meeting, gold medal hopeful Rheed McCracken would struggle to fathom where he would be today. But a decline in Australian sport has him worried.
- by Nick Wright
Why Australia’s fastest woman won’t compete in the Olympics’ fastest race
Sprint sensation Torrie Lewis is Australia’s fastest woman over 100 metres, but she won’t compete in the blue-ribbon event at Paris.
- by Michael Gleeson
‘I’ll be me’: Whateley vows to cover Olympics his way
He might be inspired by veteran caller Bruce McAvaney, but Gerard Whateley is determined to cover the athletics in Paris in his own style.
- by Sam McClure