MIA GROSS

Written by: Bree Rizzo

Mia Gross’s journey in athletics is anything but linear, and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. From her early days at Geelong Little Athletics, where she threw herself into everything from soccer to triathlons, her natural speed was obvious, but it wasn’t until she committed fully to sprinting at 16 that things began to take shape.

As a junior, she quickly became one of Australia’s brightest prospects, winning national U20 sprint doubles, making global semifinals, and contributing to record-breaking relay teams. Everything pointed toward a seamless rise into the senior ranks - but the reality proved far more challenging.

Between 2020 and 2021, Mia faced a relentless stretch of injuries and illness, including hamstring issues, stress fractures, a severe kidney infection, pancreatitis, and ongoing health complications. It was a period that stripped away momentum and forced her to rebuild from the ground up, both physically and mentally.

A move to Melbourne and a new training environment under coach John Nicolosi became the reset she needed. The shift toward a more power-based approach sparked a breakthrough in 2022, highlighted by a significant drop in her 100m personal best and a standout performance at Nationals.

That same year, an unexpected opportunity arrived when she was called up to the Commonwealth Games team. Stepping in late, Mia delivered under pressure, helping Australia to a relay performance that would later be upgraded to a bronze medal - her first at the senior international level.

Just as things were gaining momentum, another setback hit - a fractured back that forced her out of the sport for six months. It was another test of patience, but once again, she chose the long road back.

By 2024, the rewards of that persistence began to show. Personal bests across the sprints and a silver medal at Nationals in the 200m led to her selection for the Paris Olympics, where she made her debut on the world’s biggest stage.

But Mia’s impact isn’t limited to what happens on the track. She has also become one of the sport’s most engaging personalities, sharing her journey through vlogs that show everything from races and training sessions to recovery, travel, nerves, and celebrations. What started as a personal project quickly became a way to connect with the next generation of athletes. Watching her younger sister and speaking with young competitors, Mia noticed how much pressure many teenagers feel around performance. Her videos aim to show that racing can be fun - whether that’s dancing before a race to shake off nerves or celebrating small victories along the way - and the response has been powerful, inspiring young athletes to enjoy the sport and perform their best without fear.

Now in 2025, Mia has elevated her performance to a new level entirely. With personal bests from 100m through to 400m, including a 22.73 in the 200m and a breakthrough 52.02 in the 400m, she has established herself as one of Australia’s most versatile and dangerous sprint talents, while also playing a key role in the nation’s 4x400m relay resurgence.

Mia Gross isn’t just back - she’s evolved, with a resilience built through adversity and a trajectory that suggests her best is still ahead.