In a significant coup for Australian athletics, New Zealand's fastest man, Eddie Osei-Nketia, has officially changed his sporting allegiance and will now compete for Australia, with major implications for the nation's sprinting prospects ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
A Game-Changing Transfer for Australian Athletics
The 24-year-old sprinter, who broke his father Gus Nketia's national 100m record with a time of 10.08 seconds at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, has not represented New Zealand for three years. Athletics Australia (AA) confirmed the move with a social media post stating, "Welcome, Edward Osei-Nketia... He has been lighting up Australian tracks for years but is now officially eligible to represent Australia on the world stage."
Osei-Nketia, who spent eight years in Canberra as a schoolboy, holds the New Zealand 100m and 200m records and set a wind-assisted 100m time of 9.96 seconds in Texas earlier this year. After moving to the United States, he briefly attempted American football before recommitting to athletics with the University of Southern California in 2024.
Boosting an Already Rising Sprint Stock
His arrival significantly strengthens an Australian men's sprint squad that is already on an upward trajectory. The emergence of teen sensation Gout Gout, who ran 10.17 seconds as a 16-year-old in December 2024 and 20.02 seconds for the 200m in June, alongside sub-10 second man Lachie Kennedy—who clocked 9.98 seconds in Nairobi this year—has created a potent mix of youth and experience.
Athletics Australia has invested heavily in its relay programme in recent years, qualifying all five teams for the 2025 World Titles in Tokyo. That squad included Osei-Nketia's younger brother, Augustine Nketia Junior, in the 4x400m. The addition of a proven performer like Osei-Nketia raises the realistic prospect of Australia challenging for medals in the men's 4x100m relay at the 2028 Games and beyond.
Osei-Nketia's Ambitious Goals for the Green and Gold
Outlining his ambitions, Osei-Nketia stated, "My goal with Australia is to break both the 100m and 200m record and also help the relay team to not just make the finals, (but) also earn a medal on the big stage...and with the team, I believe it's possible." He emphasised his commitment to multiple major events, adding, "Not just LA, the Commonwealth Games, world championships and the world relays... any chance we get."
This strategic transfer marks a pivotal moment for Australian track and field. By integrating a seasoned international performer like Osei-Nketia with its burgeoning homegrown talent, Australia is positioning itself as a genuine force in global sprinting for the coming Olympic cycle.
