Jacob Despard (athletics) made his senior Australian debut at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in the men’s 4x100m relay but a fall by teammate Rohan Browning denied Australia a spot in the final.

A former school cross-country runner, Glenorchy Knights soccer player and state junior cricketer with North Hobart, Despard started athletics aged 13, predominantly to improve his fast-bowling run-up. He swiftly developed into a 100m sprinter, winning the Burnie Gift in 2013 and claimed his first Australian under-20 honours the following year. Seeking a change of scene, Despard moved to Melbourne at the end of 2017, sharing digs with fellow Tasmanian and Commonwealth Games sprinter Jack Hale. Joining Athletics Essendon, Despard began training under Hong Kong-based coach Rolf Ohman and quickly found dividends, winning the 2018 Stawell Gift off a mark of 4.5m.

A breakout 2022 season ahead of the Birmingham Games saw Despard take out the 100m at the Melbourne Track Classic in a wind-assisted 10.11 secs, a bronze medal at the Oceania Championships, a blue sash at the Stawell Invitational Handicap 120m and a spot in his first ever national final at the Australian championships. He moved his 100m personal best to 10.15 in Canberra in January 2024 ahead of his Olympic debut in Paris where he helped the 4x100m relay team to an Australian record (38.12) in the heat, although they missed the final by one place.

In pursuit of all things fast, Despard enjoys motorsports and works as a part-time graphene car coater.