Thousands of hopeful athletes dream of qualifying for this year's London Olympics, but Joseph Millar is trying his best not to think about it.

The 19-year-old from Tauranga is getting ready to compete in this year's Australian Open Championship in the 100m and 200m sprints this weekend.

Joseph Miller, far right. Photo: Supplied.

If he can run the 100m in 10.02 seconds or less he will be on the fast track to London but the relaxed athlete is looking at qualifying as a bonus and concentrating on just giving the race his best.

I'm trying not to think about it, says Joseph.

'If you're chasing a time you end up pushing yourself and going slower.”

Joseph bussed to Auckland on Friday afternoon and is scheduled to fly out today for the competition.

'I'm starting to get a bit nervous and excited,” says Joseph.

'Once I get there I'll get a feel for the environment.”

Joseph is hoping to beat his previous 100m record of 10.36 seconds which he ran in the New Zealand Nationals.

He isn't sure whether he can pull it off, but he is keeping his hopes up.

'I think there is a chance.”

Joseph says his toughest competition will be some of the Australian competitors, but his chances are better due to some of their best runners being currently injured.

'Hopefully I can push through and take out a top medal.”

Leading up the championship Joseph has been doing intense training sessions every second day for up to three hours. 'I do really hard sprints then let the tank re-fill.”

Aside from his running, Joseph studies sport and recreation at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

'It works really well with my training,” he says. 'I make sure I can work and train together.”

The athlete has a strong support system at home. He says his family has been truly supportive, especially throughout his back injury last year.

'I had two fractures in my lower spine.”

Unsure of whether the injury was a direct result of his running, Joseph was in agony, experiencing days when just lying on the floor was excruciating.

'It got to the point where I couldn't even medal in my events last year.

'Now on a good day I don't notice it and on a bad day I notice it a little.”

Joseph will run the 100m on Saturday and the 200m on Sunday.

'I'll just do by best and see what happens.”