Jump Start to London 2012 Athletes Collect Medals at Arafura Games 2009

Tue, May 12 2009

Young Indigenous athletes are getting a leg up in Darwin during the Arafura Games 2009 with help from star sprinter Patrick Johnson and champion hurdler Kyle Vander Kuyp.

The young athletes are part of the Jump Start to London 2012, an initiative of the Australian Sports Commission, which aims to develop the skill base of emerging Indigenous sportspeople with the goal of their competing in the London Olympics.

It appears that the investment is already paying dividends with four gold, two silver and four bronze medals being awarded to these up-and-coming athletes.

“We are two years ahead of the program,” said Ben King, assistant athletics coordinator with Jump Start to London 2012. “It looks very likely that we will get a good percentage of our athletes to Delhi in 2010.”

Gold medals have been claimed by Toowoomba’s Amber Mutch in the Women’s U18 1500m, Kimberley Pickett from Geraldton, WA, in the Women’s U18 High Jump, Chauncey Andolfatto from Gladstone, QLD, in the Men’s U18 100m Dash, and local sprinter Emma Rose Dady of Ludmilla in the Women’s U18 100m Dash.

Silver performances have come from Rockhampton runner Leisa Ohl in the Women’s 100 Dash Open and Zachary Raymond from Ipswitch in the Men’s U18 100m Dash. Far North Queensland’s Linc Port from Coen takes home a bronze medal in the Men’s Long Jump.

“The performances by all of the athletes at the Arafura Games have been high,” said Mr King. “Competition is not over yet and there may be more medals to come.”

Watch out for the Kertisha Thompson in the U18 Long Jump at 6:30 , Emma Rose Dady in the Women’s U18 400m at 6:50, Leisa Ohl and Jessica Carmody in the Women’s 400m at 7:10pm, Nickeisha Hurder in the Women’s Shot Put at 6:00pm and the Women’s Javelin Throw at 7:30pm, and Khaele Bowen in the U18 Men’s High Jump at 6:00pm

Tomorrow night Patrick Johnson is running in the Men’s 200m at along with his Jump Start to London 2012 charges Darren Banu, Aken Sam, Neil Teale, Mason Home, John Morseu and Linc Port. Heats start at 7:05pm with the final at 8:40pm at Arafura Stadium in the Marrara Sports Precinct.

For more information go to www.arafuragames.nt.gov.au.

Gail Liston (08) 8920 5536 or 0407 207 335.