London 2012 - Lauren Boden

Debut

Representing Austraila at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games for the 400m hurdles, missing the final by one spot at 17 years of age
Representing Australia at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games for the 400m hudles
Winning a silver medal at the 2005 World Youth Championships in Morocco for the 400m hurdles

Lauren Boden is the only Australian representative in an illustrious event for Australia - the 400m hurdles. Boden, who at 16 became the youngest woman to win the national 400m hurdles title, is ranked third on the Australian all-time list in the event behind Olympic gold medallist Debbie Flintoff-King and dual World Champion Jana Pittman.
Still relatively young for the hurdles event at 23, Boden has won five national titles and recorded an Olympic A qualifier (55.45sec) at the Sydney Track Classic. Boden had narrowly missed the 2011 World Championship automatic qualifier but was given a discretionary pass to compete at the World Championships where she made the semi-final.
Boden's coach Matt Beckenham competed in the 400m hurdles at the 2000 Olympic Games. Boden was his first student, and Beckenham is the only coach Boden has ever had. The 'Matty B Dept' also includes London Olympians Brendan Cole and Melissa Breen.
Boden started Little Athletics at the age of five, competing until 15, and she continues to give back to the young track and field community. Outside training Boden works at an after school care in Canberra and coaches jumps and hurdles.
Boden met the Queen and the Duke of England when she was in year six during a royal visit to Australia. Boden also met Prince Charles and Camilla at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October 2010.