Track and field in the Oceania Area may have hit a few hurdles in 2020, but our Member Federations were quick to adapt amidst the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Competitions were re-invented, with virtual competitions keeping our athletes and fans engaged.
Our athletes were jumping at every opportunity to compete after many National Championships were cancelled or postponed. And they didn’t disappoint with some outstanding performances across many disciplines. The high level has continued into 2021 where we have already seen new World, Oceania and National records tumble.
We have listed below the Oceania records which have been broken in 2020/21. A huge congratulations goes to the athletes and their teams for continuing to deliver in these difficult times.
Senior Area Records broken:
3000m | 7:28.02 | Stewart McSweyn | AUS | Rome | 17.09.2020 |
10000m | 27:22.55 | Patrick Tiernam | AUS | Los Angeles | 05.12.2020 |
Decathlon | 8492 | Ashley Moloney | AUS | Brisbane | 20.12.2020 |
1500m | 4:00.86 | Jessica Hull | AUS | Berlin | 12.09.2020 |
Hammer Throw | 73.47 | Lauren Bruce | NZL | Hamilton | 20.09.2020 |
Hammer Throw | 72.35 | Julia Ratcliffe | NZL | Hamilton | 15.02.2020 |
High Jump | 1.99 | Elanor Patterson | AUS | Wellington | 28.02.2020 |
1500m Indoor | 4:04.14 | Jessica Hull | AUS | Boston | 25.01.2020 |
800m Indoor | 1:45.59 | Charlie Hunter | AUS | Birmingham | 13.02.2021 |
1500m Indoor | 3:32.35 | Oli Hoare | AUS | New York | 13.02.2021 |
500m Indoor | 13:27.61 | Matt Baxter | NZL | Boston | 24.01.2020 |
Oceania Championships 2021 Update
It is with profound disappointment that Oceania Athletics Association (OAA) has taken the decision to not conduct the Oceania Area Athletics Championships in 2021.
Faced with the continuing uncertainty regarding the global pandemic, Oceania Athletics is not in a position to offer a suitable venue and destination that would allow all 20 Member Federations of the Oceania Region to participate.
Oceania Athletics continues to liaise with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that there are opportunities for athletes to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
OAA President, Robin Sapong Eugenio, has said that, “Oceania Athletics is committed to ensuring that there is some form of Oceania competition this year, in as many of our Member Federations as possible, whether by traditional or virtual means.”
OAA will work with all of Member Federations to ensure that there are ample competitions for all athletes at a local level. It is hoped that all Member Federations will be able to host National Championships in 2021, recognising the importance of national in-country competitions.