Tokyo Olympics: Five Aussies including javelin world champ locked in for 2021

Reigning javelin World Champion Kelsey-Lee Barber says the Olympics feel “real again” after having her selection, with four other athletes, locked in for Tokyo 2021.

Australian javelin thrower Kelsey-Lee Barber will try to replicate her World Championship win at next year’s Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Reigning javelin World Champion Kelsey-Lee Barber says the Olympics feel “real again” after having her selection for Tokyo 2021 locked in.

Barber will join Rio bronze medallist walker Dane Bird-Smith, runners Jessica Hull (5000m) and Stewart McSweyn (5000m and 10000m) and racewalker Jemima Montag on the plane to Tokyo.

Hull, Montag, McSweyn and Bird-Smith are all current national champions, winning their titles at national championships held before any COVID-19 event cancellations, while Barber won her javelin world title in Doha in October 2019.

A day in the life of a World Champion who has just been selected for her 2nd Olympic Games 🙌

Are you following @thatjavelingirl's #OlympicTakeover on our Instagram story today? pic.twitter.com/lCi8SmeTZY

— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) August 20, 2020

As national and world champions who have achieved a Tokyo 2020 qualifying result, the five athletes qualified for auto-nomination under the Athletics Australia nomination criteria and were officially selected in the team on Thursday.

Barber was ecstatic to lock in her selection for Tokyo.

“It’s a wonderful feeling, it makes the Games feel real again,” Barber said.

“It’s been my motivation since Rio to get back to an Olympic stadium – it’s something now I can set up the plan and start working towards it.

“I’m really excited to wear the green and gold at another Olympics and show what I can do. After winning the World Championships last year, and having that feeling of celebrating all the hard work you do day in and day out – it’s going to mean so much to me to be in Tokyo next year.

“I’m missing competing, but I’m using that to remind myself of what it will feel like to be back in that Olympic arena. All the energy and excitement that comes from that is going to fuel my training in the coming months, and I’m so looking forward to getting back and competing all in preparation for that big day next year.”

The Tokyo Olympics have been pushed back to a start date of July 23 next year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman said the team news was a positive for athletes after the disappointment of the 2020 Games being postponed.

“Having moved beyond the original dates of Tokyo 2020 the full focus moves to being ready for 23 July next year,” he said.

“On being told of their selection, all five athletes have been positive that they can focus fully on the challenge ahead to allow them to be at their best for the Games.

“This is a challenging time for athletes and sports across the world, but this is a day to celebrate for the athletes, their families, coaches, supporters, friends and the athletics community who have helped them reach this milestone. “

Hull, who will be going to her first Games having broken an 18-year-old national 5000m record last Friday. couldn’t contain her excitement.

“It gives me goosebumps to think about Tokyo,” Hull said.

“While we have to wait another year, it will increase the build-up and heighten the emotion. We’re going to be so happy when we get out there. It’s a childhood dream, and now I know I’ll be there in Tokyo.”