Louie Hinchliffe: GB sprint star achieves Olympic dream with help of Carl Lewis

Following her son's impressive win that earned him a spot in the Olympic 100m at Paris 2024 as the British champion, Louie Hinchliffe's mother praised the connection that has been crucial to the young athlete's quick success.

Leilani Hinchliffe said to BBC Sport that Louie would not be the same without Carl.

The impressive accomplishments and recognition that come with them are just as unfamiliar to Louie's family as they are to Louie himself.

Even though American legend Carl Lewis, who has won nine Olympic gold medals and is now coaching Hinchliffe, is familiar with them, he is still amazed by the rapid progress they have made.

In just 10 months, everything has turned around for Hinchliffe, a rising star from Sheffield. Since making contact with Lewis in 2024, Hinchliffe has emerged as one of the UK's most promising talents.

After surprising everyone by winning in difficult conditions in Manchester on Saturday night, the most exciting moment is still ahead.

"The opportunities are endless," Lewis exclaimed with pride after witnessing his athlete's impressive triumph from the bleachers.

Last year, when he first reached out to me, I watched a video of him and noticed the errors he was making.

I encouraged him to try out for the Olympic team, thinking he might have a chance in the relay events. But to my surprise, he improved rapidly and his times got much better.

Hinchliffe asked Lewis for advice on how to reach his full potential after deciding - despite his parents' initial disapproval - to relocate to the United States and focus on his track and field career. This choice came after his first year as a university student in the UK.

They are showing to be a great team, and now they are going to Paris together.

"It's insane to defeat these guys," Hinchliffe expressed after clocking in at 10.18 seconds to surpass the 2022 champion Jeremiah Azu and claim his first British title.

The coach advised me to simply focus on running my race and the success of becoming the British champion will follow.

Hinchliffe started the year 2024 with a record time of 10.17 seconds. However, after spending one winter training with Lewis, he has now broken the 10-second barrier, won two important titles, and secured a spot in the Olympics for the first time.

In reality, everything transpired in a mere six weeks.

Setting a new record with a wind-assisted time of 9.84 seconds in May, he then made history by becoming the first European male to win the 100m title at a US college.

After coming in last in the semi-finals the year before, he managed to reach success at the prestigious NCAA Championships by running 9.95 seconds. This was his first official time under 10 seconds, putting him in sixth place on the British all-time list. This unexpected achievement also made him a top contender for qualifying for Paris.

Even with the support and expectations of the home fans on Saturday, Hinchliffe once again showed his talent for stepping up when it matters most. He not only achieved the top-two finish needed for Olympic qualification, but also showcased his courage and outstanding performance to claim the win.

Hinchliffe readily acknowledges the vital role Lewis has played in helping him achieve his dreams thus far.

"Hinchliffe spoke highly of the impact he has had," said Hinchliffe.

"He has won nine Olympic medals, you need to be transparent and listen to all the guidance he provides."

"He has a sense of humor and can be tough when things need improvement. He helps me stay focused and on the right path."

In an interview with BBC Sport earlier this year, Lewis made a lighthearted comment, saying: "If Louie ends up competing in the Olympics and wins two gold medals, I'll playfully remind him that he still has seven more to catch up to my total."

However, keeping a humble attitude despite all the attention is the main focus for Hinchliffe. With Lewis' guidance, he is managing to handle a busy year with ease.

His upcoming first Olympic experience, just a month from now, will definitely be made even better by having the 1984 and 1988 100m champion Lewis by his side. Lewis is someone who has a lot of experience in dealing with crucial moments in a career.

Having seen the improvements Hinchliffe has achieved in their limited time working together, Lewis is keeping an open mind about what lies ahead as the athlete prepares for their first Games. He is confident that Hinchliffe has the potential to become one of the top athletes in Britain.

According to Lewis, if he gives his all, he has a chance to qualify for the Olympic final.

"When you make it to the final, you have a chance to win."

Louie's potential knows no bounds. It's a relief that we are unaware of any limits, as it allows us to constantly push ourselves to reach new heights.

I want him to reach the final of the Olympics. Once you make it there, anyone can win.