Australian middle-distance runner Peter Bol has earned $30,000 after competing in Miami as part of the inaugural Grand Slam Track season, an ambitious athletics league initiated by legendary American sprinter Michael Johnson. Following a fifth-place finish in the 1500 metres with a time of 3:35.24, Bol secured third place in his favoured 800m event, clocking 1:44.13.
Overall, Bol’s performance in the men’s “short distance” category saw him finish fifth, earning a prize of US$20,000, which converts to approximately $30,000 in Australian currency. Each athlete in the Grand Slam Track meets is guaranteed to win between US$10,000 and US$100,000 based on their performance.
At the Miami event, Australian Jessica Hull, who recently earned a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, also participated, finishing fourth in the women’s “short distance” category and winning US$25,000 (around AUD 40,000). In another race, Hull finished the 1500m in 4:07.67 and plans to compete in the 800m again.
Additionally, two-time Olympian Sarah Carli took part, finishing fifth in the 400m hurdles at 54.93 seconds. Carli is set to run in both the 400m hurdles and the 400m sprint in Miami.
In related news, three Australian athletes excelled at the Shanghai Diamond League meet. Sarah Billings came second in the 800m, achieving the second-fastest time ever recorded by an Australian at 1:57.83, just a fraction shy of Catriona Bisset’s national record. Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma and Uganda’s Halimah Nakaayi finished first and third, respectively.
Australia was also well represented in high jump, with Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson securing silver and bronze medals. Olyslagers cleared 1.98 metres, while Patterson managed 1.95m. Both were surpassed only by Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh, the reigning Olympic and world champion, who jumped 2.00m.
These achievements highlight the growing strength of Australian athletes on the international stage, showcasing their competitive spirit and dedication.