In a groundbreaking achievement, Lachlan Kennedy from Brisbane made history at Sydney Olympic Park on Friday night by becoming the first Australian to officially break the 10-second barrier in the 100 metres under legal wind conditions on home soil. The 22-year-old sprinter clocked an impressive time of 9.96 seconds during the heats of the Australian athletics championships.
Kennedy, previously noted for running a time of 9.98 seconds in Kenya last May, expressed his ambition to surpass Patrick Johnson’s longstanding national record of 9.93 seconds in the finals scheduled for Saturday. This was particularly significant as he raced with a favourable wind of +0.2 metres per second, well within the allowable limit of +2.0 metres per second.
Prior to Kennedy’s remarkable feat, the fastest times recorded on Australian soil were all at 10 seconds flat, a mark achieved by him and the rising star Gout Gout. Following his historic run, a jubilant Kennedy reflected on his accomplishment, stating, “I’m honoured to be the first to do it. I’m sure we’ll have way more in the future. I’m certainly glad it was me.”
As the athletics community eagerly anticipates his next performance, the excitement around Kennedy’s potential and the future of Australian sprinting continues to grow.