The fastest woman in Australia, who earlier this year broke the national record in the 100 meters, might not even compete in the event at the Olympics in Paris.
Torrie Lewis is the fastest woman in Australia’s history over the 100 meters, but her main goal is to qualify for the Olympics in Paris later this year, so she is not focused on winning the blue-ribband event. Though it might sound paradoxical, the 19-year-old understands it completely.
Lewis, whose popularity has surged after shattering the national 100-meter women’s record in January, would choose to run the 200 meters instead since she has always felt that distance is better for her.
She stated, “I just think that I would probably be a bit more competitive in the Olympics at the 200,” earlier this week in Sydney during the uniform launch for the Australian team. “I’m definitely closer to making the 100-meter final. I’ll be content no matter what, but if I had a choice, I believe I would run the 200.
When Lewis won the 100-meter sprint at the ACT Open and Under-20 championships earlier this year with a timing of 11.10 seconds, the sprinting world took note. It was the quickest time ever set by an Australian woman, only missing out on the previous records set by Melissa Breen in 11.11 seconds and Raelene Boyle in 11.20 seconds, which had stood since 1968.
Lewis declared, “I’ve always believed I was better at the 200.” I was therefore rather taken aback when I shattered the 100-meter record. However, it boosts my confidence greatly since I know that if I can run a 100 meters so quickly, I can run a 200 meters even faster. And maybe one day I’ll be able to break the record with a 200 as well.
Since it was established in 1997, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor’s legendary 200-meter record of 22.23 seconds has not been surpassed. Lewis is drawing nearer, though. While defending the national title in Adelaide last weekend, she managed to cut her personal best to 22.94s, the first wind-legal sub-23s run of her career. She hopes to continue eating into that deficit.
Lewis decided to withdraw from the 100 meters in Adelaide at the last minute, giving up the opportunity to defend her title and attempt to recreate her sprint double from a year earlier in order to focus entirely on the 200 meters.
If she makes the Australian track and field squad for the Games, which start on July 26, she will compete in just one individual event. The upcoming months will be hectic and there is still a lot of work to be done till then. After competing this weekend in China, Lewis will go to Nassau, Bahamas, with the 4x100m relay team to attempt to qualify for Paris.
Lewis will then decide which competitions to enter in order to either reach the Olympic qualification time or improve her world ranking to the point where she can be awarded a roll-down slot at the conclusion of the qualification season. Which specific event she runs in Paris will depend on her performance through the end of June.
Lewis remarked, “There’s a lot of international travel between now and then.” “To give myself the best chance, I’m just trying to concentrate on staying healthy.”
Lewis was born in Nottingham, England, and relocated to Newcastle, New South Wales, when she was six years old. During that time, she showed promise as a gymnast before focusing entirely on the track. She moved to Queensland in 2020, and that’s when her sprint career really took off.
Her ascent to national popularity has been rapid, but she claims she has the resources to handle the spotlight’s glare, which has been harsher recently and will likely increase stronger the closer she gets to Paris.
Some young athletes may have found it difficult to maintain their composure in the face of such an explosive arrival on the scene, but Lewis has had the advantage of drawing from the vast experience of Dawn Fraser, one of Australia’s greatest Olympians. The Sport Australia Hall of Fame has designated the four-time Olympic swimmer as the sprinter’s mentor.
Lewis discovers she can relate to Fraser despite their 67-year age difference since Fraser has experience training for and competing in the Olympics. Above all, Fraser is available to support her in managing the expectations placed on her and how to respond to the media’s sudden interest in her.
Lewis stated, “She’s given me such great advice.” She’s most likely the proudest person I’ve ever met. She has completed the most.
“I believe the media exists because I am a quick learner; therefore, I should concentrate on my training and maintaining my speed in order for it to persist.” You must also make an effort to maintain your composure and keep in mind my initial motivation for doing this.