Having demonstrated last season that he has what it takes to compete with the best in the world, Australian Matthew Hauser is one of the top picks for an Olympic medal in Paris this summer.

The Hervey Bay native, who finished as the WTCS #7 in 2024, won a Commonwealth Games bronze medal behind Alex Yee and Hayden Wilde in 2022.

Facing familiar faces in the hunt for hardware in the French capital, Hauser told TRI247 that he is ready for whatever the race throws at him and believes a little courage can go a long way.

“I’m in a much better position to influence the race”

Having qualified for and competed at his first Olympic Games in Tokyo three years ago, where he finished 24th, Hauser believes he is now in a much better place to put his stamp on the race.

“Individual I feel like I’m in a much better position to influence the race than I was in Tokyo, backed with the belief that on my day I’ve shown that I can match it with the top guys.”

After Australia finished a disappointing ninth in the Mixed Team Relay in Tokyo, Hauser said that the team will be ready to compete after building some momentum over the last few seasons.

“In the relay Australia are ready to be competitive again, we want to be up the front and in the mix and we’ll fight hard to get there and stay there.”

“I need to have belief in myself”

Asked what it will take for him to walk away from Paris with a medal, Hauser said that courage as well as belief will be key to any success he will have.

“I need to have belief in myself and belief and invest into the support team around me in my preparation. A little courage can go a long way.”

The 25-year-old added that he believes his racing style is best suited to going hard from the gun, but that he will prepare for whatever comes his way on race day.

“I’m going in preparing for everything and anything. My racing style is best suited to racing from the gun and putting the pressure on, I’m sure there’ll be a few motivated guys wanting to do the same.