Australia’s athletics team craves world class track star as Michelle Jenneke and co arrive in Rio

THERE was a sweetness and a shallowness to the arrival of Australia’s athletics team in Rio.

THERE was a sweetness and a shallowness to the arrival of Australia’s athletics team in Rio.

First up to face the cameras at Santos Dumont Airport was pin-up girl Michelle Jenneke whose face is seen all over Rio on giant billboards as part of a Coke advertising blitz.

She spoke with engaging warmth about the fun of it all and how she is enjoying the promotional ride.

Jenneke remains one of the best things Australian athletics has going for it given that she is connected to 200,000 Instagram fans who hopefully take an interest in her sport.

But she is nowhere near a contender in her women’s hurdles race and her very presence as the star of the show actually showcased how Australian athletics craves that world class track star who throws a net over the country’s sports fans and takes them on their journey.

People love watching champions run.

How athletics officials would have loved to be trotting out a Jana Pittman, Sally Pearson or Cathy Freeman to face questions about game plans, flashing times or big rivalries we all feel a part of and that you just have to plan your day around to watch.

Michelle Jenneke is one of the best things Australian athletics has going for it. Picture: Adam Head

Jenneke’s colourful chat about how she plans to do her pre-race jig in the Games saved the day to an extent because it gave the media beast something to go with.

But three days out from Games competition is when substance should be roaring into the equation and fancy trimmings should be taking their place at the back of the room.

The fight for athletics to stay relevant in Australia is getting more challenging by the year which is why young pin-up girls like Jenneke are so important.

Is has been said in recent decades that female stars like Pearson and Freeman are left to carry the sport because many decent male athletes are whisked away to football codes.

But suddenly women’s athletics is under serious threat itself from rivals close at hand.

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With the AFL women’s competition starting, sevens rugby booming, netball taking off and cricket paying its players a useful wage a young female athlete now has a range of appealing options which all pay better than being a so-so track athlete.

Australia believes it is a chance of winning two or three medals in track and field though it would surprise if any are gold.

If a new star emerged to carry the torch to the next Olympics it would be one of the sweetest moments of Australia’s Games.

Originally published as Australia’s athletics team craves world class track star as Michelle Jenneke and co arrive in Rio