London Olympics - Athletics

Sally Pearson continued her dominant Australian summer season form last night with a blistering 12.49s in the 100m hurdles at the wet Melbourne Track Classic. It was her fourth fastest time ever and to do it so early in her personal season (she is, like all other athletes this year, tailoring her season to peak at the London Olympics in July-August 2012) sends a massive warning to her rivals.  It would have won her the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.

Henry Frayne also proved that Australia's long jump stocks are higher than Warren Buffets personal wealth. Last night he jumped 8.09m to prove that his 8.27m last month at the Sydney Track Classic (an Olympic qualifying jump) was no fluke.

He joins World Championship silver medallist Mitchell Watt, World Indoor Champion Fabrice Lapierre, Chris Nofke and Robbie Crowther as being the jumpers in line to represent Australia at London. Watt is already there having been pre-selected, but there is only one other spot available. I am no mathematician but 4 into 1 does not go. Frayne has already jumped the Olympic qualifying length in the Triple Jump (his preferred event). Lapierre has a longer personal best than Frayne but must out-jump Frayne at or before the national trials to push Frayne aside for the second jumping role. Nofke and Crowther are currently outside chances but have all jumped over the Olympic qualifying marks. To discount them would be foolish. The selectors have a tough call to make, but if only there was a long jump relay team...