Rhiannon Clarke heads to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games with experience on her side

T38 100m and 400m sprinter Rhiannon Clarke had an early taste for success, as the youngest medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and now has her eye on more at the Birmingham Games.

Since then she has gone on to win medals at the 2019 Para World Championships, represent Australia at the Tokyo Paralympic Games and claim gold at the Oceania Championships last month.

“I got into athletics when I was twelve, I went to a para-athletics try out day and it all kind of started from there.

“I was fifteen when I won a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, then went to the 2019 World Championships and won two bronze medals then went to the Paralympics last year and came fifth in the 100m and seventh in the 400m.”

With a Paralympic experience like no other last year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Clarke still felt privileged to be wearing the green and gold and representing her country on an international stage.

“It is always pretty awesome to be selected and I feel honoured to wear the green and gold. My first Paralympic experience was definitely one to remember, but I’m looking forward to my second Commonwealth Games, which will include a crowed and lots of noise.”

A successful year and career to date, comes down to all the hard work behind the scenes that is generated at WAIS.

“WAIS has played a vital role in my preparation, and they have been a huge support network, with the access to physiotherapy, dietitians, strength & conditioning, psychology and wellbeing.

“I pretty much live at WAIS! They’re very supportive and they want the best results for me!”

With Clarke’s attention now on the Commonwealth Games, in just over two weeks, her training load has ramped up to help achieve the goals that have been set.

“My goal is to run a really good time at the Commonwealth Games, based off the way I have been running I feel as though this is achievable. My time at the Oceania Championships was faster than what I ran in Tokyo, so we’re moving in the right direction.

“Training has definitely been pumped up at the moment, but it’s been great working on everything I’ve needed to work on post Tokyo.”

Providing support to athletes in and out of sport is a key pillar at WAIS. Off the track, Rhiannon has commenced studying a Bachelor of Biological Science in Wildlife Conservation, at the University of Western Australia.

“With athletics being the priority at the minute, I’m studying part time, but I’m loving the course. I also do some causal work as a swim teacher and will start coaching athletics on the side as well.”