NSW All Schools athletics: Teenage Olympic hopeful Emma Lee chasing sprint PB’s

This teen is about to show off her talent and speed at the NSW All Schools. But it’s something else that could help her achieve a dream of competing at Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

She’s one of the fastest teenagers in the country and while she’s only 16, Emma Lee seems to have found the secret of her success.

The Woronora schoolgirl says she has immense passion and love for track and field athletics.

“I love the atmosphere, the social side of things, I just love doing my passion. I love everything about it,’’ Emma said ahead of this weeks NSW All Schools championships in Sydney.

Emma Lee is chasing new times in the `100m and 200m at the NSW All Schools athletics championships. Pic: Supplied

“I like a lot of things about running. I get this feeling which I can’t really describe when I run.

“It’s really good. It’s not adrenaline but it feels great.

“Running makes me happy 100%. It’s just something I love to do. It’s an illuminating feeling.”

Emma, who started the sport with Sutherland Little Athletics, is also a little unusual in the fact she enjoys training as much as competition.

“Through Covid I was fortunate enough to be able to continue training and I had a lot more free time because I was doing school at home,” she said.

The Southern Districts runner comes into the All Schools championships after an outstanding season last year.

Emma Lee, left, at last year’s championships with other medallists. Pic: Supplied

It was then she lowered her PB from 12.14 to 11.82 for the 100m and 24.37 to 23.92 for her favoured 200m event.

Coached by Davina Strauss, the Inaburra School student has hopes of again improving her times at the event at Sydney Olympic Park this week.

“My plan for All Schools is the see all my friends and run my best and execute my race plan.” she said.

“I’d like to get PB’s in the 100m and 200m. I prefer 200m. The hundred feels like it’s over too soon sometimes.

“But I’ve been counting down the days. I just can’t wait to get started.”

Emma has aspirations of competing for Australia at junior world championships in the immediate future and multiple Olympic and Commonwealth Games in years to come.

“Definitely Brisbane (2032 Olympics) is something I’m going for. It means a lot knowing it is here in Australia,’’ she said. “I am motivated to get to the next level. I just love training, what I do.’’

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Originally published as NSW All Schools athletics: Teenage Olympic hopeful Emma Lee chasing sprint PB’s