Matt Shirvington

Olympic Games
Men's Athletics
Semi Finalist	2000 Sydney	Athletics Men's 100 m
Quarter Finalist	2000 Sydney	Athletics Men's 200 m
File:Athletics Australia.jpg Telstra Athletics Championships
Men's Athletics
Gold medal	2000 Telstra Athletics Championships Hobart	Athletics Men's 100 m
Gold medal	2001 Telstra Athletics Championships Sydney	Athletics Men's 100 m
Gold medal	2002 Telstra Athletics Championships Canberra	Athletics Men's 100 m
Gold medal	2003 Telstra Athletics Championships Adelaide	Athletics Men's 100 m
Gold medal	2004 Telstra Athletics Championships Perth	Athletics Men's 100 m
Gold medal	2005 Telstra Athletics Championships Perth	Athletics Men's 100 m
File:Cg-flag.gif Commonwealth Games
Men's Athletics
Finalist	1998 Kuala Lumpur	Athletics Men's 100 m

Matt Shirvington is an Australian athlete who won the Australian 100 and 200 metre national sprint titles on multiple occasions. After tearing his hamstring training for the 2004 Summer Olympics, he became the host of the Australian Channel 7 television program Beyond Tomorrow in 2005.

Born in Frenchs Forest, Sydney, on October 25 1978, Shirvington took the Australian 100 metre record with his fourth place finish, in 10.03 seconds in the 1998 Commonwealth Games event, until rival Patrick Johnson took the record with a time of 9.93 seconds.

International Career

Matt started his international carrer in 1996 as a 4x100 m relay reserve at the World Juniors. In 1998 at the Commonwealth Games, he did a sensational run with 10.03 seconds in the 100 m. He also showed his international capability with a fourth placing over 60 m at the 1999 World Indoors behind Maurice Greene.

Records and Olympics

In 2000 he took the Australian 100 m record at Stadium Australia. Further success at the Telstra Olympic Trials with a 100 m season best performance of 10.11 saw Matt selected for the 2000 Olympics in the 100 m, 200 m and 4 x 100 m relay. Matt progressed well through the 100 m rounds at the Olympics finishing fifth in his semi final but unfortunately had to withdraw from the 200 m quarter final due to illness. He was also disqualified for the 4x100 m relay semi-final.

In March 2001 he made his second 60 metre World Indoor Championship final. Under an injury cloud he claimed his fourth consecutive national title, before taking a rest from training and competition to get married. He proceeded to the 100 m semi-finals at the 2001 World Championships, and helped the 4x100 m relay to a higher than expected fourth place. He placed third in the Goodwill Games 100 m and in October was diagnosed with another injury, multiple shin stress fractures. Matt resumed competition in late March 2002 and suffered a series of defeats in the Telstra A-Series but rose to the occasion to clinch his 5th consecutive National title in April.His selection in the Commonwealth Games team was his 9th National team. Matt is compiling an impressive international record with final berths at the Commonwealth Games and World Indoors and semi-final places at the Olympics and World Championships.

More Injuries

Osteitis Pubis forced Matt to withdraw from the 2002 Commonwealth Games Team. After a poor start to the 2003 domestic season, eventually defeated Patrick Johnson in the Telstra A-Series meet in Sydney. Attempting to win his sixth consecutive National 100 m title, he was defeated by Patrick Johnson. A week later on the Gold Coast he ran 10.09, his fastest time for four years. Ran a best of 10.17 prior to the World Championshps where he progressed to the quarter final. Helped the relay team to 6th in the semi. Upon return to Australia he was diagnosed with glandular fever. Ran okay early in January 2004, with times of 10.33/10.27w, but was injured in late January and missed the remainder of the season. In March travelled to London to prepare for the European season, but in 7 races he could only break 10.50 once (10.48). In late June 2004 decided not to try for Olympic selection and finished his season there. Started the 2005 domestic season in promising form clocking 10.29w and 10.32 in Perth. Placed fourth in the National 100 m. Selected for the World Championships in the 4x100 m relay where he ran in the heat only helping the team to the final where they placed a brilliant 5th.

End of Career

After tearing his hamstring training for the 2004 Summer Olympics, he became the host of the Australian Channel 7 television program Beyond Tomorrow in 2005.

References

"Matt Shirvington". Athletics Australia - Athletes, Coaches & Officials - Athlete Profiles. Retrieved August 21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)