The Australian Olympic Committee today announced the first athletes to be selected for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

Michael Gosman and Ellie Salthouse were selected to compete in triathlon for Australia in what will be an exciting event on the Games agenda.

The young pair gained their sought after spot on the team after finishing on top of the podium at the Oceania Youth Olympic Qualifier in Canberra at the beginning of the year.

“It was quite unexpected and it took a while to sink in,” Gosman said of his qualification.

Gosman followed his win with another podium finish at the 2010 Oceania Triathlon Championships in March. The 18-year-old from Canberra took out the junior men’s title after producing a blistering run leg to finish the race.

“I’m definitely excited to go to Singapore,” Gosman said. “It’s my first proper international event, and I just want to go and experience the whole thing.”

Seventeen-year-old Salthouse from Brisbane edged out favourite Holly Aitken to win the Youth Olympic Qualification event in a time of 1:02.59, after producing the fastest run of the day.

“It was such a great race,” Salthouse said.

“I wasn’t expected to win and when I ran through from a few packs behind it was awesome.

“I’ve never had a chance to compete overseas before so I can’t wait for Singapore. Of course I’d like to win, but most of all I want to have a great race and take it all in.”

Gosman and Salthouse will each contest the individual competition in Singapore which will consist of a  750m swim in open water, a 20km cycle ride (three-lap course), and a 5km run (two-lap course).

Based on their individual results, they will then be placed in an Oceania team to contest the 4 x mixed team relay – a new event on the sports program. The relay competition includes a 250m swim in open water, a 7km cycle ride (one-lap course), and a 1.7km run (one-lap course). The competitors' official time includes the transition time between the individual legs of the race. The winner is the first athlete to complete the entire course.

Triathlon at the Youth Olympic Games will take place at East Coast Park, in the south-eastern part of Singapore. Triathlon is open to young men and women aged between 16 and 18.

Competition will take place over three days:

Women’s Individual – Sunday 15 August, 2010
Men’s Individual – Monday 16 August, 2010
Mixed Team Relay – Thursday 19 August, 2010

Alice Wheeler
AOC