Games trial venue switch
Athletics New Zealand insists Commonwealth Games aspirants won’t be compromised by a trial meet moving from Wellington to Wanganui this weekend.
Meet organisers were forced to make the decision on Wednesday after being advised the Newtown Park resurfacing would not be completed in time for Saturday’s scheduled Capital Classic meet.
Rio Olympian Angie Petty, who will run the 1500m, was unfazed by the venue change to Wanganui’s Cook’s Gardens - scene of Peter Snell’s world mile record in 1962.
‘‘I think the weather is actually meant to be better in Wanganui than Wellington on Saturday, there’s not meant to be as much wind. So it could be a blessing in disguise.’’
The decision to take the Capital Classic to Wanganui was made after ‘‘an unforeseen update from the Polytan contractor’s to the Wellington City Council this morning’’, ACE Sports consultant Tony Rogers advised athletes.
‘‘We reiterate this decision has been made due to a new structural issue uncovered by Polytan today. Prior to today’s update from the WCC, it was previously advised resurfacing was nearing completion and due this week. Our understanding is that this new issue has now lead contractors to require a partial uplift of some of the new pre-christmas laid track.’’
Rogers said organisers understood ‘‘all parties particularly athletes, coaches, officials will be inconvenienced by this change and we have the support of Athletics Wanganui to action the necessary move’’.
Two free buses would be available to take athletes from Wellington to Wanganui on Saturday morning.
Petty, who has already achieved the A-qualifying standard for the 800m at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, said the switch wasn’t entirely unexpected.
‘‘It’s only two and a half hours. We are used to doing that to run in Timaru from Christchurch.
‘‘As long as you get out [of the bus or car] and stretch a wee bit, it should be fine.’’
Athletics New Zealand (ANZ) track and field selection panel convenor Graham Seatter said the venue switch was ‘‘unfortunate’’ and ‘‘beyond our control, obviously’’.
However, he expected ‘‘only two or three athletes’’ would have been trialling in Wellington anyway.
The New Zealand track and field team for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will be named on February 2, requiring ANZ to split its trials across three regional meetings in January.
The first was due to be held in Wellington on Saturday with the second at Wanganui on Tuesday and the third in Hastings at the Potts Classic on January 27.
Seatter said the trial events on this weekend’s programme included men’s and women’s discus, women’s 1500m, men’s and women’s 200m and 400m hurdles.
Fourteen athletes have already meet qualifying targets for the Gold Coast.