When you’re a rising-track star, your coach usually knows what’s best. But what happens when you decide to go against that advice? That’s exactly what 22-year-old British sprinter Louie Hinchliffe did. After winning an Olympic medal in Paris this summer, Hinchliffe made the bold decision to turn professional, even though his coach, the legendary former American track and field athlete turned Carl Lewis, advised him otherwise. After contributing to Team GB’s bronze medal win in the Paris Olympics in the men’s 4×100 meter relay event at the competition, Hinchcliffe felt confident in pursuing his passion for athletics on a full-time basis. He decided to forgo completing his final year at the University of Houston.

During his stay in Texas, Hinchcliffe received training from Lewis, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist. After achieving success in college, he considered transitioning to status. However, Lewis cautioned him against it, deeming it premature, and likened it to “fool’s gold in track.” Despite the warning, Hinchcliffe remained resolute and expressed that becoming a professional athlete had been his aspiration since childhood. He said, “Ever since I was a kid, it’s been my dream to be a professional athlete. I could’ve stayed in school and earned a degree, but my heart just wasn’t in it.”

Lewis informed his athletes that he would only continue coaching them if they completed their degrees; however, when Hinchcliffe decided to pursue a path, Lewis showed his support without any resentment; “He wished me all the best,” Hinchcliffe shared about their discussion. “There’s no hard feelings at all. Carl taught me a lot and I can’t thank him enough.” Nevertheless, after Lewis stepped down as his coach, it left a gap in Hinchcliffe’s journey in track and field, which then led to the task of finding a replacement mentor.

Then he started exploring possibilities. Briefly, Hinchliffe contemplated staying in the United States to potentially join another team. However, discussions with a couple of coaches didn’t result in the desired connection he sought. He couldn’t find the vibe he experienced with his roommate, Richard Kilty, or anyone who resonated with him in a similar way.

When he made the decision to seek guidance from Richard Kilty, 35 years old, a former teammate with a coaching background, it simply clicked for him: “It just felt right. You know what feels right, and that felt the best.” With his dedication to this responsibility in mind, Kilty expressed that his focus remains on supporting Louie above all else and is not looking to mentor athletes of Hinchliffe’s level.

While some may doubt Kilty’s coaching credentials, Hinchliffe is confident. “I’ve got every confidence in him and myself that we’re going to do the business,” he said. Jointly committed to demonstrating that venturing into the realm of track and field was a choice for his prospects. But what led to their collaboration?

This unlikely track and field pair’s bond is changing the face of sprinting forever!

Louie Hinchliffes’s track and field experience changed when he teamed up with fellow sprinter Richard Kilty after they met at the London Diamond League and became roommates by chance; their connection was so strong that they decided to stick during the Olympics in Paris.

Despite a 13-year age difference and varying life experiences, they bonded over their shared status as northern athletes in a predominantly southern sport, with Kilty famously known as the “Teesside Tornado” and Hinchliffe from Sheffield. But can his training routine match Carl Lewis’s achievements?

In 2024, with Carl Lewis as his coach, Hinchcliffe accomplished a feat in track and field by completing the 100-meter race in 9.95 seconds, becoming the first European athlete to secure the coveted NCAA title in the United States.

Now with this change in training direction, Hinchcliffe had to move from Texas to the town of Saltburn by the Sea, where his training sessions are split between Middlesborough and Gateshead. Even though the connection between him and Kilty is still solid, Hinchcliffe recognizes a shift in how they interact. “It’s not as much of a bromance now,” he confesses, acknowledging that their bond has transformed into a coach-athlete dynamic.

For now, Kilty’s vision is Hinchliffe’s development, dismissing any skepticism surrounding the young sprinter’s decision to turn professional. “I’m going to make it my mission to do whatever I can on a daily basis to help Louie be the best in the world,” he declares. Hinchliffe’s journey, which includes a freshman year competing for Washington State University and a prior stint studying business and IT at Lancaster University, shows his dedication to both track and field and academics. It’ll be really exciting to see what he can achieve as he continues this journey with Kilty by his side!