Sprint star Rohan Browning seems set to get the chance to reprise his heroics from Tokyo when Australia's final squad for the Paris Olympics is revealed on Monday.
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Browning was 57th, one spot outside the cut-off in the 100m rankings when the selection period ended on June 30.
He had been unable to better the tough automatic qualifying standard of 10.00 seconds.
But if any runner from another nation chooses not to take up their slot or is unavailable due to injury, then the 26-year-old New South Welshman would take their place.
Browning - who has battled hamstring issues for much of 2024 - can also be picked in the 4x100m relay squad.
He shot to prominence at the Tokyo Games in 2021 by winning his opening-round heat in 10.01 and backed that up with a creditable fifth-placed finish of 10.09 in his semi.
The toughest calls for the selectors concern the middle-distance events, where Australia boasts unprecedented depth.
Peter Bol (men's 800m), Claudia Hollingsworth and Abbey Caldwell (women's 800m) and Jessica Hull (women's 1500m) were pre-selected after the national championships in April.
Commonwealth champion Olli Hoare will start in the men's 1500m, while national record holder Catriona Bisset and fast-improving Bendere Oboya are duelling for the one remaining vacancy in the women's 800m.
Australia will select a maximum three runners in the 800m and 1500m races.
Track and field will be the last Australian sport to name its squad for the Paris games.
The opening ceremony is on July 26 and the athletics program runs from August 1-11.
High jumpers Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson, pole vaulters Nina Kennedy and Kurtis Marschall, walker Jemima Montag and javelin thrower Mackenzie Little are among the nation's best medal hopes.
All six finished on the podium at last year's world championships in Budapest.
Australian Associated Press
