Wightman will begin his Olympic career in the Melbourne mile.

2023.12.13

Jake Wightman, Britain’s 2022 world 1500m champion, will compete in the Maurie Plant Meet, the first World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event of 2024, on February 15 in Melbourne, Australia.

The European and Commonwealth Games medalist, who beat Jakob Ingebrigtsen to the world championship in Oregon last year, is among the first competitors to be named for the race in Melbourne, which will be Oceania’s only Continental Tour Gold meeting.

Wightman hasn’t raced since January and missed his world title defense in Budapest due to a foot issue.

Now that he’s recovered, he’ll compete in the mile alongside Australia’s Stewart McSweyn and Matt Ramsden at Lakeside Stadium.

“I am really looking forward to getting back to racing in 2024 after missing 2023 with injury. It will be great to get going at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne against Stewart McSweyn and Matt Ramsden, who I often cross paths with when they base themselves in Teddington during the European summer season,” Wightman said.

“They are quality athletes so I know I will be tested immediately, which should make for a good spectacle for Aussie fans.”

Olympic finalist McSweyn, who was nearly beaten in the 3000m at this year’s Maurie Plant Meet, said there was no better way to start an Olympic year than against one of the world’s best on home soil.

“Having Jake in Melbourne is going to be a fantastic addition to the Maurie Plant Meet.” “He’s one of the best milers in the world, and he’ll be right in the mix for the Olympic title next year,” McSweyn said.

“Having the opportunity to race him in front of a home crowd will be a lot of fun.” It will also be an excellent opportunity for us Australian middle-distance runners to get an early indication of how we will do against one of the world’s best.

@sportzlanka