27-year-old Australian middle-distance runner, Olli Hoare is planning a successful return to competition this year. He is now prepared to compete on the track, as he has registered for the upcoming Australian National Championships. In an interview with Mac Fleet of Citius Mag, the runner discussed his mindset going into the comeback season after encountering many ailments in 2023.
Hoare is thrilled to be returning to track after his short break. Until the Oslo Bislett Games in June 2023, he had skipped quite a few events. Simultaneously, he was placed seventh in the outdoor 1500-meter race, setting a new Oceanic record with a time of 3:29.41.
Unfortunately, he had to end his outdoor season in July after being diagnosed with a minor sports hernia. Due to this, he was unable to participate in any outdoor events that year, including the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Additionally, the athlete was unable to participate in any track events until now due to suffering from a sacral stress reaction. However, despite going through a cluster of ailments, he is ready to start his 2024 season, saying:
“I think I’m ready for it. I think I’m excited for it and also I have a lot of self-hatred, anger and adrenaline kicking in for this race and I know this is just the beginning of my season, regardless of how it goes.”
Hoare is aware that this is a big year for him, and all the other athletes. He is well aware that the Australian National Championships will serve as the season opener. Hence, he will have enough opportunity to showcase his abilities this year.
Getting back on track won’t be an easy task for Olli, but he’s prepared for whatever comes his way. Moreover, Hoare claimed that he met American track star Fred Kerley last season. He further recalled how they had a brief, but deep conversation.
Olli Hoare meets a determined Fred Kerley
Last year, during the Maurie Plant Meet, Ollie Hoare and Fred Kerley crossed paths. Hoare reminisces about the drug testing process with the American track star in his interview with Citius Mag. The Australian event was a smashing success thanks to the youthful crowd and Kerley’s top performance.
In Melbourne, the American track star competed in the 200-meter event and won first place with a time of 20.32 seconds. Even Hoare was taken aback by Kerley’s remarkable run. Mac Fleet also acknowledges how Kerley celebrated his win by hyping up the crowd. Hoare further adds how Kerley promised him that he would return to Australia for more track action, as he was also very fond of the Aussie crowd.
