Jacob Despard is a sprinter from Hobart who’s about to compete in his first Olympics. We find out just what makes this 27-year-old Straight Mate the fastest man in Australia.
Congratulations on being selected to represent Australia at the 2024 Olympics. How does that feel?
It’s a very surreal feeling as I’ve worked hard for so many years to ultimately represent Australia at the Olympic Games. Competing is a very big issue for me and something I’m taking on with both hands.
You’re sprinting in the Australian men’s Olympic 4×100 metre relay race, with three others – Sebastian Sultana, Calab Law and Josh Azzopardi. Are you all already mates?
Yeah, we’ve been in the relay program for a few years now. Seb and Calab are a bit younger, but Josh and I have been stable members of the team for a while. We all get along quite well, and a great friendship has been built around the team. Josh and I first raced in 2018 and we both went to the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Afterwards, we travelled around Europe together which was quite special.
Australian Olympic sprinter Jacob Despard
Being your first Olympic Games. What are your expectations?
Growing up it was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to be an Olympian. It was a childhood dream and for that to come to fruition, well I guess you could say is something I’ve worked my whole life for. I’ve been to the Commonwealth Games and travelled around the world racing and now I’m looking forward to the pinnacle, being the Olympics.
The opening ceremony will see 205 country delegations arrive by boat along the River Seine. Will you be there?
I don’t think so, because the athletics events take place in the second week. But I think we do get to go to the closing ceremony which will be awesome. I do know about the opening ceremony along the river and I’m very envious of those who are going.
“I have several gay friends from different areas of my life.”
Are there any Olympians or sportspeople who inspire you?
I used to play cricket, so I was drawn more to the guys playing in the team like Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee. Then when I transitioned to track and field, Usain Bolt was on the rise and everyone, including myself jumped on his bandwagon. But I haven’t looked that much toward sporting idols as I got older. I concentrate more on trying to become a better person myself.
Over the years a few Olympians have come out, such as Dan Jervis, Tom Daley, Ian Thorpe, and Matthew Mitcham. Do you think we’ve reached a point where it’s become a non-issue?
I find that athletics is a very accepting sport. Thinking back to when I was younger, it was probably frowned upon in the football or cricket community. I’m now competing against people who I know are openly gay, and I don’t think it is a big thing for them to come out and say it these days, especially in the sport I’m involved with. We don’t see being gay as anything different.”
Australian Olympic sprinter Jacob Despard and teammates
Do you have gay mates or family members?
Yes, I have several gay friends from different areas of my life. My closest would be my content creator in Hobart, who does the majority of my social media reels. I also have a few gay friends from when I worked in hospitality. That was in my younger years, but I still catch up with them in Hobart.
Have you been out to a gay club?
One night after a work function my mate and I ended up at a gay bar that was a lot of fun. It was in Hobart, but I don’t think it’s open anymore. I remember there was a big pole in the middle of the dancefloor and cages hanging from the roof.
Sounds like Hobart is doing it better than the other cities! Did you get approached while there?
Yeah, but I handled it respectfully while still having fun. It’s’ not the end of the world. I think some people can get a bit offended if they get approached.
What’s your irresistible burn-the-floor song?
Caribou Lou by Tech N9ne is the song that does it for me, but I’m a very energetic person, so it’s not hard to get me up. I like to go out for a dance.
“I find that athletics is a very accepting sport. We don’t see being gay as anything different.”
That makes sense considering you are officially the fastest man in Australia!
(Laughing) Yes, I am at the moment. It’s based on time and through online rankings. My family and friends are over the moon with it all because I’ve been on this journey for fifteen years. I have a little twelve-year-old brother who’s one of my biggest fans.
Who is your music diva?
I tend to go for old-school rock, with bands like AC/DC and Cold Chisel. In terms of a diva, that’s a tough one but I’d have to go with Madonna!
Australian Olympic sprinter Jacob Despard
Who’s your celebrity man crush?
I reckon Matthew McConaughey. He seems like a pretty cool dude and is good-looking. I recently read his book Greenlights, but I liked him even before that. I saw him in Sahara when I was younger which became my favourite movie.
Before competing how do you get yourself into ‘the zone’?
I try not to get caught up in zoning myself out, but I do a lot of visualisations before competition which prepares me with confidence. I’ve done a lot of work with mindset and getting the feeling that I belong in those big areas, which are the best in the world.
What advice can you give to those dreaming of competing at the Olympics?
Many years back I would tell people that my goal was to be an Olympian and a lot would laugh it off or tell me not many people achieved that. So, my best advice is to keep believing in yourself, work hard and don’t let people tell you what you can and can’t do.
Apart from running what else do you do to keep fit?
Going to the gym is a big part of sprinting, so I go two or three times a week and I also run. It’s quite a busy schedule and many will say that gym is just as important as the sprinting aspect, in making it to this level. I do lots of prehab stuff and see a physio to keep my body finely tuned. I need to treat it like a Ferrari!
What specific exercises do you do at the gym?
It’s a mixture. My program involves lots of Olympic lifts (snatch, clean and jerk) and very powerful explosive movements. I don’t necessarily try to build muscle mass but more to build some fast explosive power.
You’re also an official ambassador for Bulk Nutrients. How do they fit it?
Yes, I am! I’ve been with Bulk since 2013 and they’ve played an important role in my sporting journey. Bulk are Tasmanian owned and operated so I was happy to pair up with them. My favourite products are the Chocolate Whey Protein Isolate and the PRE101. They have a ‘HASTA’ (Human and Supplement Testing Australia)approved range which is vital for drug-tested athletes.
Have you ever had a sporting wardrobe malfunction?
The worst would be when I won the Stall Gift in 2018. I had on grey tights, and they were a bit revealing! People were sending my mum messages asking why I was wearing them (laughing). It was on national television!
Will you be getting an Olympic tattoo?
Yes, one hundred per cent! I’ll get the Olympic rings, not in colour but in plain ink and I’ll put it on my forearm. Currently, I don’t have any tattoos at all.
Australian Olympic sprinter Jacob Despard
Do you have a grooming tip?
Well, I shave my legs to race, and I’ve found it takes way too long. So, a hair removal cream is the tip. Men’s hair removal cream will give you nice smooth legs – and you’ll run fast! (laughing).
A lot of the readers will like that tip, although they are prone to removing hair in other places!
(Laughing) Yeah, true.
On the beach are you Speedos or boardies?
I actually hate both. I don’t know why, but I just can’t handle either, so I wear sports shorts instead. Boardies give me the ick! It’s weird, and to be honest, I don’t have the confidence to wear Speedos.
You’re underestimating yourself. Okay, so every other day, is it jocks, fitted boxers or free balling?
Fitted boxers! They are comfortable and I also wear them when I race.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games runs from 26 July to 11 August
Follow Jacob on Instagram @jacobdespard
