Top track and field athletes compete in Perth final

Some of Australia's best athletes have descended on Perth this week for the 2011 Go for 2 & 5 Australian Athletics Tour Final.

Western Australian Tourism Minister Kim Hames said Perth crowds would see the likes of former world champion Jana Rawlinson, Beijing Olympic silver medallist Sally Pearson, Commonwealth gold medallist Alana Boyd and world championship bronze medallist Mitchell Watt.

Dr Hames explained "the Australian Athletics Tour is a new event on the sporting calendar. It consists of four one-day events held in other capital cities and ends with a two-day final in Perth. "The line up for the final is outstanding and Athletics Australia is expecting big crowds to turn out to watch Australia's best compete."

Athletes will be competing for more than $400,000 in prize money and selection for the 2011 World Championships in Athletics team.

The tour final will feature a full athletic program including both the decathlon and heptathlon events.

Dr Hames said the Western Australian Government was a proud sponsor of the Australian Athletics Tour Final through Eventscorp, adding "not only does this event give us the opportunity to see some of Australia's best track and field athletes in action but it will contribute around $1.45million to the economy attracting more than 1,200 visitors."

The finals will be broadcast around Australia on Network Ten and One HD.

Organisers expect about 10,000 spectators over the two-day event, which starts at 6.30pm today (Thursday 31st March).

Image: The WA Athletics Stadium in Mt Claremont, venue for the 2011 Go for 2 & 5 Australian Athletics Tour Final.

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