Tokyo 2021: Rohan Browning says pressure may be off in empty stadium

Australia’s fastest man has lamented the fact that stadiums will be empty at the Tokyo Olympics, but it says there’s one benefit to the closed stands.

The fastest man in Australia would love to have his ‘Pat Cash moment’ in Tokyo this year – jumping into the stands to celebrate with friends and family after achieving his Olympic dream.

COVID has killed that dream for 100m sprint star Rohan Browning, who booked his ticket with a blistering 10.05s last month, but has quickly come to terms with the prospect of competing in a cavernous arena devoid of international fans.

Foreign spectators will be shut out from the delayed Tokyo Olympics, which will take place from July 23 – a full 12 months after the 2020 Games were sidelined by the global pandemic.

“It’ll be a shame – it’s always so lovely when you get to share those moments with your family and friends, so it definitely strips you of that opportunity,” Browning told News Corp on Tuesday ahead of the 100 Days to Go milestone.

Rohan Browning of Australia and Mark Otieno Odhiambo of Kenya look on after the Men's 100 metres semi finals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“It’ll be very different running in an empty stadium, but I think it’s important to go into the Olympics without a preconception of what it should look or feel like. Because nobody knows.

“It’s such a unique event in such a unique period of history, so I’ll just be trying to focus on the track.

“But it’s part of being in an individual sport as well. Hopefully my coach can get over there and maybe there’ll be a Pat Cash-style with the team administrators and physio and doctor.”

The impressive 23-year-old, who became the third fastest Australian in history when he clocked 10.05s at the Queensland Track Classic in March, does see a silver lining to the COVID cloud.

It could remove one distraction on the biggest stage.

“It might actually take a load off because sometimes you walk into the stadium and you look around and see if you can pick them out, so you definitely won’t be thinking about that,” Browning said.

Browning in training in 2015. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Instead, Browning’s family, friends and growing legion of fans will be cheering him on from Olympic live sites around the country – boasting big screens, interactive Olympic activities and appearances from former Olympians.

Sydney will have two sites, at the Rocks and Sydney Olympic Park, with yet-to-be-announced venues in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide, and regional activities also planned.

“In the 21st century you can really watch it from anywhere and be totally up to date. So as long as they can see it in some capacity, maybe at a live site, then I’ll be happy for them,” said Browning, who described the live sites as a ‘genius idea’.

“To try and pack out some of these iconic sites around the country, with people watching the Olympics and rooting for the Australians is just genius,” he said.

There are also plans to broadcast live footage of the Australian live sites back to the athletes in Tokyo.

“The broadcaster, Channel 7, wants to use the opportunity to connect from live sites to the competition, to our athletes up in Tokyo so they can see everyone cheering them on and at appropriate times to connect their families over links,” Carroll confirmed.