The Hamilton hammer thrower Julia Ratcliffe admits she's in a privileged position to have everything she needs in New Zealand to qualify for the Olympics.
Julia Ratcliffe Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Commonwealth Games champion is yet to achieve the A standard and her last chance to reach the qualifying distance may be at this weekend's National Championships in Hastings.
Canterbury's Lauren Bruce has taken over as the number one ranked female hammer thrower in New Zealand after smashing the national record and gaining the Olympic standard with a throw of 73.47 metres in September.
Between the Rio 2016 and Tokyo Olympics the qualifying distance was increased from 71 to 72.5 metres and while Ratcliffe has regularly been able to get over 72, her best is still 15cm short of the mark.
Ratcliffe doesn't feels a lack of international travel has been a problem and has embraced the challenge that Bruce has thrown at her.
"It's been a huge motivation for me seeing her do that and I think it's lifted the lid on what I think is possible for myself."
She feels privileged to have all she needs in New Zealand to motivate her to get to the Olympics.
"It's easy to look at people overseas and think maybe they've got different training styles and different coaches, but seeing someone a lot closer to home do it makes you think there are no excuses and I'd better go and do it."
She and Bruce duelled with each other during a series of competitions over the summer.
When New Zealand went into Covid-19 lockdown last year Ratcliffe moved from Wellington back home to Hamilton and lives with her father and coach Dave.
They set up a concrete pad and a small net on the families lifestyle block and Ratcliffe often sends the hammer flying into the neighbouring paddocks.
"The best competition for me in Oceania is Lauren and I live with my coach so I'm very fortunate that I have everything close."
Lauren Bruce Photo: PHOTOSPORT
So will Ratcliffe achieve the qualifying mark this weekend in Hastings.
She is well placed to receive a nomination as one of the best 32 in the world, but she's wanting to throw the distance to confirm it.
"The hammer throw is very much a rhythm event and is very technical."
"I know I'm strong enough to throw what I need to to get to the Olympics and so its just a matter of getting all the timing right because there are so many moving parts to the hammer."
Ratcliffe will defend her national title and hopefully gain an Olympic qualification on Friday night.
Another hoping to do the same is high jumper Hamish Kerr.
He's just two centimetres short of the Olympic standard, but his world ranking will probably result in selection even if he doesn't achieve it this weekend.
His coach Terry Lomax says while the fire for an athlete might have dampened a bit because of the three week postponement, Kerr is still fired up a really looking forward to performing.
Lomax, who is also an Athletics New Zealand head coach, says while some athletes may be able to get to the Olympic by other means, generally they want to show they deserve to be there by achieving the required mark, and Kerr is no different.
"It's definitely on his agenda, all jumpers, whether its the Olympics or the provincial championships, want to jump high and always want to jump higher and having achieved 2.31m he's pleased but certainly not satisfied," said Lomax.
Hamish Kerr Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Nine athletes have so far achieved Olympic qualifying standards, so are they expected to show that form again at the nationals?
"It's not necessary but again all athletes want to perform and while those athletes that have already qualified won't have the same pressure they'll still be looking to perform at their best because the national championships is the biggest competition there is with no overseas travel possible."
Dame Valerie Adams and Tom Walsh, who have won four Olympic medals and 11 senior national titles between them will again dominate the shot put... Jacko Gill, who has had the edge over Walsh this summer, won't be competing at the nationals.
Camille Buscomb will be aiming to be the first female athlete to win three middle distance titles in the 800m, 1500m and 5000m.
Zoe Hobbs is favoured to make it five winning years in a row in the women's 100m, while the door is wide open in the men's sprints with Eddie Osei-Nketia absent because he's competing in Australia, and Tiaan Whelpton and Joseph Millar are both on the injured list.
Portia Bing, who is also after an Olympic qualifier of 55.40 in the 400m hurdles, is likely to make it four years in a row for the gold medal.
Athletics New Zealand is expected to submit their first nominations to the New Zealand Olympic selectors by the end of the month.
Athletes to have so far qualified for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Shot putters Tom Walsh, Jacko Gill, Dame Valerie Adams.
Camille Buscomb in the 5,000m and 10,000m.
Malcolm Hicks and Zane Robertson in the marathon.
Lauren Bruce in the hammer.
Quentin Rew 50k walk.
Sam Tanner in the 1500m.
