Olympic sprinter Josh Azzopardi has watched with interest as the nation has been captivated by the rise of Gout Gout in recent years. Rather than feeling envious of the teenage sensation, the Sydney-based flyer believes that more eyes on the sport are beneficial for everyone involved.
Azzopardi, 26, is no slouch himself on the track. He competed at the Paris Games in 2024 and holds the title of the sixth-fastest Australian 100m sprinter of all time. He also previously declined an approach from Rugby Australia, who wanted him as part of their Men's Sevens program.
However, athletics remains Azzopardi's focus. The former Oceania 100m champion senses something special brewing on local shores ahead of the LA Olympics in 2028.
'You can feel the excitement in the air,' he told the Daily Mail. 'Gout Gout and Lachie (Kennedy) tend to get most of the headlines, which is fine. They are terrific athletes who are recording some very good times. It inspires other guys like myself. I know what I have to do to keep improving; it is all up to me.'
The Cronulla Sharks tragic also revealed he could have worn the green and gold in Sevens Rugby. 'It was back in 2018. Someone spotted me playing Oztag,' Azzopardi said. 'The World Cup was in Coffs Harbour (in NSW), and they had a winner-takes-all sprint race, which I won. Rugby Australia got in touch not long after (2019) and asked would I be interested, so I toured their facilities. I played a bit of AFL and NRL as a kid, but athletics has always been my passion, so I have no regrets.'
Azzopardi is primed to compete at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin from May 18, where he will look to defend his 100m title from 2024. Long term, Azzopardi, whose PB in the 100m is 10.09 seconds, is targeting the LA Games and even Brisbane in 2032.
'You never say never, and competing at an Olympics in Australia would be amazing,' he said. 'I was only a baby when the Sydney Games were on (2000), but everyone still talks about how iconic it was. After getting a taste in Paris, I would love the opportunity to race in front of family and friends on the ultimate stage.'
