News & Updates

On Sunday 23 February, New Zealand’s top track & field athletes will compete against some of the world’s best at the Sir Graeme Douglas International, New Zealand’s own Olympic warm-up event.

Hosted at the Douglas Track & Field in Henderson, the Sir Graeme Douglas International is a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze Level Meet. It is part of an International series of athletics events and will be an opportunity for athletes to gain points towards Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification or to meet the Tokyo 2020 Olympic entry standard.

Olympians Dame Valerie Adams, Nick Willis, Tom Walsh and Angie Petty are expected to headline the event and will compete against a strong field of New Zealand athletes and International competitors from countries such as Japan, Australia and Canada.

Athletics New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Pfitzinger said the event is not to be missed and home crowd support could make all the difference for athletes targeting Tokyo 2020.

“There is nothing quite like seeing the world’s best compete live from just metres away and this may be the last opportunity to see our elite athletes compete in Auckland before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,” said Pete.

“The Sir Graeme Douglas International is always a whirlwind evening of athletics and 2020 will be no different, with 18 track and field events over less than three hours along with a pre-meet, kids relay and evening running festival,” added Pete.

“There is something for everyone and we encourage athletics and sports fans to bring the family and settle in for a Sunday summer evening at the track.”

The Sir Graeme Douglas International is named in memory of Sir Graeme Douglas, after whom the event venue is also named, and is made possible thanks to the support of Douglas Pharmaceuticals.

“My late father was a keen athlete until his mid-seventies, when he competed in masters events,” said Jeff Douglas, Sir Graeme’s son and Managing Director of Douglas Pharmaceuticals. “He would be delighted to see this calibre of event being held on the facility he financially supported and trained on himself.”

Tickets for the Sir Graeme Douglas International are available to purchase from Ticketek.

• Adults $10
• Child (13-16) $5
• Children 12 & under free
• Half-price tickets for all Athletics NZ members