Paris Olympics 2024: Claudia Hollingsworth youngest athletics star named in Australia team

Named the youngest among 14 new track and field stars set for the Olympics, this Melbourne runner has done all she can to keep her head in the game as the countdown to Paris reaches 100 days.

Celebrating the 100-days-to-go milestone for the Paris Olympics was not something Claudia Hollingsworth allowed herself to think about until Sunday.

The Melbourne runner was already trying to play down another milestone, her 19th birthday last Friday, because she had a job to do at the Olympic trials in Adelaide.

So it wasn’t until Sunday afternoon, when Hollingsworth stunningly won the Australian 800m title to warrant selection in the Olympic team, that she allowed her mind to drift to the biggest sporting event on the planet in France in July.

Melbourne 800m runner Claudia Hollingsworth helps mark 100 days to go until the Paris Olympics. Picture: Michael Klein

“I think it has been a dream for so long,” Hollingsworth said.

“I’ve been thinking about it being an Olympic year and then when I started getting some really good PBs, and then I guess I hit the (qualifying) time, it made it more exciting to see what could happen.

“I never really wanted to look too far ahead and it wasn’t really until I crossed the finish line (on Sunday) and I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, this could be it’.”

Hollingsworth was the youngest of the 14 track and field athletes presented with their boarding passes for Paris by Australian Olympic team Chef de Mission Anna Meares.

Claudia Hollingsworth is the youngest of the 14 members of Australia’s track and field athletics team presented with their boarding passes. Picture: Michael Klein

The team size is expected to swell to 70 by July.

It has been a rapid rise for the former Mentone Grammar student, who was discovered several years ago at a school athletics carnival by one of Australia’s greatest middle-distance runners, Craig Mottram.

They worked together through the junior ranks before Hollingsworth’s star started to shine over the past 12 months, which led to her life-changing moment on Sunday.

Claudia Hollingsworth was discovered by one of Australia’s greatest middle-distance runners, Craig Mottram. Pic: Michael Klein

“Buster (Mottram) just said ‘Go out and have fun, just enjoy it because hopefully you remember it’,” Hollingsworth said.

“He likes to keep things really relaxed because he knows I race better when I am calm.”

There won’t be much calmness in the Hollingsworth house for the next couple of days.

There will be birthday and Olympic celebrations to be had before one of Australia’s most exciting track talents turns her mind to all things Paris.