10: Bree Masters, the first Australian 100m sprinter to make an Olympic semi-final in 24 years

Bree-Bree can do anything! Bree Masters is a sprinter who recently became the first Australian woman in 24 years to make a 100m semi-final at an Olympics.

In this conversation, we cover Bree's life as a triple threat (dancer, surf lifesaver, sprinter), what it’s like to line up next to defending World Champion Sha’Carri Richardson and scoring free tattoos in the Olympic village!

Bree Masters was a dancer growing up in New South Wales. She attended a performing arts high school in Sydney and had dreams of becoming a professional dancer. Running on the track and on the sand was also a big part of Bree’s life. She was a talented surf lifesaver, excelling in beach sprints, and moved to the Gold Coast to compete professionally. After winning the World Beach Sprint title in 2016 and the Australian Beach Sprint title in 2019, Bree wanted a new challenge and turned her attention to the track.

Since switching her focus to track five years ago, Bree progressed quickly. She made her international debut for Australia at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon, where she ran 100m in 11.29 – the fastest time by an Australian woman at a global meeting in 15 years. She also competed at the World Champs in Budapest and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Earlier this year at London Diamond League she was part of a 4 x 100m relay team that broke the Australian Record (42.48).

At the Paris Olympics, Bree came third in her heat (11.26) to become the first Australian woman to make an Olympic 100m semi-final since 2000. Her current 100m PB is 11.23, which she ran in Auckland, New Zealand. While Bree also competes in the 200m (23.21 PB), she's recently focused her attention on the 100m.

Bree balances life as an athlete with a part-time role in public relations with apparel brand, LSKD.

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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Graphic design by Kate Scheer