Five months out from Paris 2024, Australian sprinting king Rohan Browning means business.
After narrowly missing out on qualifying for the final during Toyko 2020, the 26-year-old is ready to take the next step in a few months’ time.
Browning’s personal best of 10.01 seconds for the 100m sprint is so close to the entry standard of 10.00.
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“(It was) my best-ever run. I just know I have to improve a couple of per cent. It sounds so straight forward and the reality is, it obviously isn’t,” Browning told 9News on Sunday.
Reflecting on his time in Tokyo three years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic, the New South Welshman from Crows Nest is ready for an even bigger taste in Paris.
“Tokyo was a really special experience for me, my first Olympics. But obviously the eeriness of the stadium is super weird,” he said.
“Paris will be pure magic.”
He knows it won’t be that easy to break that 10-second barrier, but this time around, he’s got a support network who will be able to ride each bump with the Australian with him overseas.
It will be a far cry from his Tokyo experience, with no fans allowed in the stands and no families in attendance to support the athletes.
“I’m pretty optimistic and just excited about being back out there,” Browning said.
“Needless to say I better qualify, or I’m going to have a lot of explaining to do. A lot of people are going to be out of pocket a lot of money.
“It will be really special to share those moments with them.”
There is no crazy method to shave that extra bit of time off his personal best, but a haircut may just be the answer.
Despite being known for his iconic mullet during Tokyo 2020, he declares he is “more mature” and ready to make a fresh appearance, with or without the extra hair.
“Fast-forward three years from Tokyo and I’ve entered a more mature phase of my life. I think I’ve left it (the mullet) behind. It’s much more refined,” Browning said.
“It’s not particularly aerodynamic as it is. I’m certainly overdue for a haircut. It’s on my radar!”