Outstanding Performance by Australia at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2024

Sports John Brightwater September 1, 2024

Outstanding Performance by Australia at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2024

The World Athletics U20 Championships 2024 concluded with a remarkable performance from the Australian delegation, who achieved significant success, culminating in three silver medals on the final day of competition held in Lima, Peru on Saturday. Cameron Myers (men’s 1500m), Izobelle Louison-Roe (women’s high jump), and the Australian women’s 4x400m relay team each earned silver medals, contributing to Australia’s most successful outing at this prestigious event.

Cameron Myers, at the young age of 17, triumphed in the men’s 1500m with an impressive time of 3:40.60, finishing just 0.09 seconds behind Ethiopia’s Fayisa Abdisa. Myers commented on the experience, stating, “It is bittersweet when you follow your race plan, do everything right, and someone is just better than you. That is the reality of this sport sometimes. It is motivating, and I shall return stronger.”

Meanwhile, fellow 17-year-old Izobelle Louison-Roe excelled in the women’s high jump, securing silver with a personal best clearance of 1.89m on her initial attempt. She finished just behind Serbia’s Angelina Topic, who earned gold with a jump of 1.91m. Louison-Roe expressed her excitement, acknowledging, “I knew the competition was challenging, filled with exceptional jumpers. I understood that I would need to achieve a personal best to place, and I am absolutely thrilled.”

Australia’s achievements were further bolstered by a strong performance in the 4x400m relay events. The Australian women’s team, composed of Amelia Rowe, Bella Pasquali, Jemma Pollard, and Sophia Gregorevic, secured the silver medal with a time of 3:31.47, narrowly missing gold, which was claimed by the United States at 3:30.74. In the men’s 4x400m relay, the team of Caleb Kilpatrick, Jett Grundy, Jack Deguara, and Jordan Gilbert concluded the Championships with a bronze medal, clocking in at 3:05.53, placing behind the United States and South Africa.

Ultimately, Australia finished the championships in seventh place overall on the medals table, with a commendable haul of two gold medals, seven silver medals, and five bronze medals. Notable achievements included the mixed 4x400m team, which set a new U20 national record for their event, and Delta Amidzovski, who made history as the first Australian woman to secure a long jump title at these championships.

In contrast, Australia had a modest showing at the previous U20 World Championships held in Cali, Colombia in 2022, where they only earned two bronze medals. This year’s exceptional performance highlights the growth and potential of Australian athletics on the international stage, setting a promising precedent for future competitions.