Sparkling year for Diamond League Aussies

Australia’s athletes have enjoyed their most successful year in the Diamond League, as the 2026 season comes to an end. ​

The Diamond League by the numbers tells the story of a remarkable season for Australian athletes, who competed across meetings in Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States.

Jessica Hull, a New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship athlete was very consistent, competing at nine meetings, followed by Sarah Billings and Linden Hall, who each competed at eight.

Pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall also enjoyed a standout season, competing at fourteen meets across Europe. In the Diamond League, Marschall recorded two victories and seven podium finishes, with an average clearance of 5.86m.

Australian Athletics General Manager of High Performance Andrew Faichney said the performances demonstrated the depth and consistency of Australian athletes throughout a demanding international season.

“It’s incredible when you look at the numbers,” he said. “There are meetings from the start of May all the way through to September, and in the middle of that we had our Commonwealth Games, which was a high focus for our athletes.

“Yet they were all able to perform at such a high level throughout the whole Diamond League. We were able to win Diamond League events from the start to the end of the season.

“Add in the Diamond League final is a prestigious event, and for our athletes to go in and be able to come away with two final wins is something that is very rare. “To have so many in the top three throughout, and also to be able to perform and break Australian records, it’s really exciting.” Australian Athletics CEO Simon Hollingsworth said the season highlighted the growing depth of Australian athletics.

“What has been impressive this year is the breadth of athletes we have had, which shows the depth of our sport,” he said. “The quality and consistency of our performances was remarkable.

“To have two Diamond League champions, I think we have only done that once before, is just incredible.

“To have one win on the track, with Cameron Myers, and one on the field, with (NSWIS athlete/main picture) Eleanor Patterson, is just a lovely symmetry.”

Add in the huge success of the Commonwealth Games where the Australian athletes won 12 gold, 11 silver and 11 bronze medals, and the recent World Athletics Ultimate Championships where Australia had four podium finishes, it has been a very successful international campaign across the board.

The Australian athletes are now having a well earnt rest before the focus turns to the 2027 Chemist Warehouse Summer Series. Our athletes will also be looking forward to and preparing for the 2027 World Para Athletics Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and the World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China.

“It’s a great opportunity for these groups of athletes to have a break after what has been a long season,” Faichney said.

“Then we have a massive year next year, as it’s a World Championship year and we’ve got a huge domestic season ahead.” Faichney is tipping the public’s interest in our athletes will only grow because of how successful the international season has been. “After this year, I think 2027 will be a chance for us to celebrate our athletes and show the rest of Australia just how good they are.”

Luke Dennehy, Australian Athletics