Rohan Browning has put the Commonwealth Games track selection drama in the rear vision mirror as he seeks to spearhead Australia’s sprint charge in Glasgow.
The 28-year-old former national champion was picked alongside current title holder Lachie Kennedy and Eddie Nketia in a three-pronged 100m assault.
It begins on Monday at Scotstoun Stadium, with the men’s 100m heats among the first events on the Games athletics program before nine finals are contested in the evening session.
Australia’s 100m selection call sparked a challenge from Josh Azzopardi, whose appeal heard by the National Sports Tribunal was ultimately unsuccessful.
Azzopardi said he felt “absolutely robbed” by the decision, but hoped it wouldn’t dent the mood in an Australian camp eyeing unprecedented track success at the Games.
It appears there are no hard feelings from Browning, who is adamant the saga hasn’t dampened his relationship with Azzopardi.
The pair are both part of Australia’s five-man 4x100m relay squad in Glasgow, and worked together at training camps in Italy and Spain in the lead-up to the Games.
“The nature of going through an appeal process can make this feel a little personal, but ultimately it’s not,” Browning told AAP.
“This sport is zero-sum, and Josh and I are trying to make a living out of it. I respect his right to appeal and I certainly respect his opinion.
“We had a conversation and both decided – before the appeal process was even over – to just compartmentalise the individual event and the relay.
“So I’d say the team culture has been good. We’ve spent a lot of time around each other and with each other.
“I would say it’s all in the past. It’s just one of those awkward things.”
The men’s and women’s 4x100m relay finals, among the most keenly anticipated events at any Games, will take place on the final day of the athletics program.
Browning and Azzopardi join Kennedy, Calab Law and Christopher Ius in the men’s 4x100m relay squad, with Nketia on standby.
Teen sensation Gout Gout is absent, having first decided to prioritise the under-20 world championships over the Games before sustaining a significant hamstring injury.
“Our chances are legitimately very strong and the team wants to win it,” Browning said.
“In the sprint events the Commonwealth is very strong. A lot of the world’s best are still there and a lot of the relay teams are very strong.
“But we want to win it and I like our chances.”
Browning was dethroned as 100m national champion by Kennedy in April, when the 22-year-old became the first Australian man to break 10 seconds on home soil.
Browning admits he’s had an “up and down” season under new coach Jack Edwards, after parting ways with long-time mentor Andrew Murphy last August.
“We’ve changed things up. I’m a bit better out of the blocks but maybe I’ve been a little bit down at the top end,” Browning said.
“I’m hoping to piece it all together when it counts.
“I’ve been around the block, you know, so I feel like somebody who responds well to the stress of competition.
“It’s an environment that brings out the best in me, so I’m hoping that it all clicks quite naturally.”