Our SA Olympians

From top left: 5000m runner Isobel Batt-Doyle, Pole Vaulter Kurtis Marschall,
Long Jumper Henry Frayne and Steeplechaser Matthew Clarke. Photographs: Athletics Australia

We had four South Australian athletes represent their country at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Isobel Batt-Doyle ran in the 5000m race, Matthew Clarke in the Steeplechase, Kurtis Marschall in the Pole Vault and Henry Frayne in the Long Jump. 

5000m - Isobel Batt-Doyle

Flinders Athletics Club member Isobel Batt-Doyle participated in her 5000m heat on July 30 and registered a time of 15:21.65 which unfortunately didn’t help her progress through to the final.
“I’m an Olympian,” Isobel said via Instagram.
“To say those words is a childhood dream come true.
"The reality is I walked off the track last night disappointed in my performance, like so many athletes do.
“But, at the start of 2020 I was still rehabbing a persistently broken foot and I seriously considered quitting competitive running. I’m so so glad I didn’t, as I’ve achieved more than I’d have ever imagined in the last 12 months and I know there is so much still ahead of me.
“One of my main goals as an athlete is to inspire others, and I feel like I’ve been able to do that this year so that makes me really happy.”

We spoke to Isobel ahead of her heat – follow this link for the full story on the Athletics SA website: https://bit.ly/2WmqFhh 

Isobel already has her eyes set on Paris in 2024.
"My Olympic experience was overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time," she said.
"I’m still processing it and the incredible last year that brought me to this point of becoming an Australian Olympian.
"I’ve felt so inspired by watching teammates and strangers incredible performances, acts of sportsmanship and camaraderie, and seeing courage and hope in the face of injury and defeat.
"The good thing is we only have three years to wait for the next one! You bet I’ll be working as hard as ever to have this honour again."

3000m Steeplechase - Matthew Clarke

Matthew Clarke, who represents the Hills Athletics Club locally and trains under Adam Didyk, raced in the steeplechase on July 30. 
He ran 8:42.37 which unfortunately didn’t qualify for the final.
"I’m proud to be an Olympian," he said via Instagram.
"It was trial by fire in the race - a lack of racing experience unfortunately got the better of me. It was the toughest place to learn but I’ll be better for it."
He reflected on his achievement to make it to the Tokyo starting line.
“Making the Olympics was something I would never have imagined when watching Rio in 2016.
“It’s been a journey filled with plenty of ups and down, unknowns and learnings.
"Coming back to Australia, I am more driven than ever to have another shot to prove and show what I am capable of… this is only the beginning of a new chapter.”

Pole Vault - Kurtis Marschall

In his second Olympic Games Pole Vaulter Kurtis Marschall progressed through to the final on August 3 following a clearance of 5.75m during the qualifying rounds.
Unfortunately, during the final Kurtis was unable to clear the height of 5.55m and finished outside the top 10.
“That’s going to be a tough one to process,” Kurtis said in an Instagram post following the final.
“Never the less I’m grateful to be in this position, a 2x Olympian, happy, healthy and HUNGRY for more. I’ll learn from this.
"Thanks to everyone in my corner - You know who you are. I appreciate everything you’ve to get me where I am today.
"You can all count on one thing… I’ll be back." 

Long Jump - Henry Frayne

Three-time Olympic Long jumper Henry Frayne jumped 7.93m in the qualifying rounds to finish sixth in his group, but did not progress through to the final.
“3cm away from another Olympic final birth, 14th in the world," he said via Instragram.
"I would have loved to reach that final & do something special for my late friend and manager Andy Stubbs but it’s been a tough year and it has all just taken it’s toll.
"Proud to be a 3 X Olympian and represent the country at these strange Games.”

Thank you to the Hilton Hotel MyBar for hosting the viewing parties for our SA athletes.

For full athlete profiles visit the https://www.olympics.com.au/games/tokyo-2020/team/ website.

SA Paralympic Games representative - Michael Roeger

The Paralympic Games commence on August 24. South Australian T46 long distance runner Michael Roeger will represent his country in the marathon on September 5.

Have A Go

Our Olympians have showed us what they have made of on the biggest stage, now it’s over to you!
Have a Go at Athletics.
To have a go at this incredibly fun and diverse sport contact Athletics SA, all it takes is a phone call or email. We are here to help you!