Cameron Myers has etched his name into Australian athletics history, shattering the national 1500m record with a blistering time of 3:29.02 at a Diamond League meet in Paris. The 20-year-old from Canberra now sets his sights on the Commonwealth Games.
Record-Breaking Performance
Myers clocked 3:29.02, eclipsing the previous mark of 3:29.41 set by Stewart McSweyn in 2021. The time places him among the fastest middle-distance runners globally this season.
“I knew I had it in me, but to actually do it on such a big stage is incredible,” Myers said. “The crowd in Paris was amazing, and I felt their energy every step.”
Race Details
The race was a high-paced affair from the start, with Myers positioning himself behind the pacemakers. He took the lead with 200 meters to go and held off a strong challenge from Kenya’s Abel Kipsang to win by 0.15 seconds.
Myers’ time is the fastest by an Australian over 1500m in history, and it also meets the qualifying standard for the World Championships in Tokyo later this year.
Looking Ahead to Commonwealth Games
Myers has already set his sights on the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he will be a medal contender. “The Commonwealth Games are a huge goal for me,” he said. “I want to bring home gold for Australia.”
His coach, Nic Bideau, praised the performance: “Cameron has worked incredibly hard. This record is just the beginning.”
Impact on Australian Athletics
Myers’ record is a significant boost for Australian middle-distance running, which has seen a resurgence in recent years. With athletes like Peter Bol and Linden Hall also performing well, Australia is building depth in the event.
Myers will next compete at the Australian Championships in Sydney before heading to Europe for more Diamond League meets.
