“We’re definitely making progress towards that goal,” says the first group of Australian track and field athletes chosen for the Paris Games, heightening anticipation as a 68-year aspiration takes shape.

There’s a real chance that Australia could achieve its best medal count in athletics at an Olympic Games since 1956 in Paris this year.

Several of Australia’s leading medal contenders in athletics were chosen for the Paris Games in Adelaide on Sunday night, marking the first selection of track and field athletes after the conclusion of the national titles. Among those selected were high jumpers Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson, discus thrower Matt Denny, and long jumper Chris Mitrevski.