Eliza McCartney competes in the Paris Olympics women's pole vault final. Photo: photosport
Seasoned pole vaulter Eliza McCartney will complete a sparse year of competition by lining up at the athletics world championships after winning late inclusion in the New Zealand team for Tokyo.
McCartney was among seven athletes added to a finalised squad of 14 for the championships starting next week, which will be spearheaded by in-form Olympic men's high jump champion Hamish Kerr.
Three Kiwi women will contest the pole vault after McCartney and Imogen Ayris were named to join the already-selected Olivia McTaggart.
McTaggart notched victory at the London Diamond League meet in July with a personal best 4.73m while Ayris has enjoyed a consistent season in which she has challenged the 4.70m mark.
It is in contrast to 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medallist McCartney, who hasn't competed at a major meet since the New Zealand championships in Dunedin in March.
The national record holder is only registered as having jumped competitively once since, at last week's Charnwood AC Open in Loughborough, England, where she cleared 4.33m.
Ranked 17th in the world, McCartney qualifies as top-36 athlete and a statement from Athletics New Zealand said the 28-year-old "will be aiming to translate some quality training form into results on the track".
Two athletes added to the squad will make their world championships debut at the meet from 13-21 September - shot putter Nick Palmer and triple jumper Ethan Olivier.
New Zealand triple jumper Ethan Olivier. Photo: supplied/Athletics NZ
Palmer recently achieved a personal best 20.32m throw at a meet in Germany to earn selection in the same event as decorated teammate Tom Walsh.
Other late editions are 1500m runner Sam Tanner, javelin thrower Tori Moorby and hammer thrower Lauren Bruce.
Men's shot putter Jacko Gill was named in the original group but has been forced to withdraw because of injury.
New Zealand team:
Women
100m - Zoe Hobbs
Pole vault - Imogen Ayris, Eliza McCartney, Olivia McTaggart,
Javelin - Tory Moorby
Shot put - Maddi Wesche
Hammer - Lauren Bruce
Men
1500m - Sam Tanner
3000m steeplechase - George Beamish
High jump - Hamish Kerr
Triple jump - Ethan Olivier
Shot put - Tom Walsh, Nick Palmer
Discus - Connor Bell
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