It's not just the record-breaking performances Cameron Myers has produced on the track that suggest the Canberra teenager is destined for greatness. His times over the 1,500m and mile have been stunning, but what's as impressive is the lack of intimidation Myers feels when he competes against some of the best middle-distance athletes in the world. "You have to be confident going into these races," Myers told ABC Sport. "You have to believe you can win any race that you're in and I've just got to believe that I'm the best in every race that I enter. "Otherwise, I guess, you're beaten before you even start." Last month's Wanamaker Mile at New York's Millrose Games — one of the most storied short track (indoor) meets on the international calendar — illustrated the lack of fear Myers exudes in each race he contests. At 18, Myers was the youngest competitor by almost three years in a strong field assembled at The Armoury. Yet he finished third behind American Olympic 1,500m bronze medallist Yared Nuguse, who set a world short track record with a time of 3 minutes 46.63 seconds. Myers went down in the history books, posting 3:47.48 to break the outright world U20 mile record. It was one of three world U20 marks Myers set during the race and he now sits fifth on the all-time standings for the short track mile, regardless of age group. His time also equalled Olympian Ollie Hoare's Australian record for the mile, which was run outdoors in Oslo in 2023. "It's nice validation [for] the changes we made after the season last year," Myers said. "We're just going to keep using that momentum for the rest of the season." World titles on Myers's radar Such is the depth in Australia's middle-distance stocks, Myers was overlooked for selection in the 1,500m for last year's Paris Olympics. He had qualified for the Games via his world U18 best performance of 3:33.26, which he ran when making his Diamond League debut in Chorzów as a 17-year-old in 2023. But Australian 1,500m record holder Hoare, national champion Adam Spencer and Stewart McSweyn — who was seventh in the event at the Tokyo Olympics — were selected ahead of Myers. Hoare, Spencer and Tokyo 800m finalist Peter Bol will join Myers on the start line in Saturday night's John Landy Memorial 1,500m at the Maurie Plant Meet at Melbourne's Lakeside Stadium. The meet serves as an early stop in Myers's 2025 outdoor campaign as he chases selection for this year's World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Myers admits missing out on the Paris Olympics added "fuel to the fire" and he's hell-bent on making Australia's squad for September's world titles. "It gives me motivation, almost having something to prove every race that I do," said Myers, who has already run a qualifying time for Tokyo. "I don't want to leave anything undecided and I want to make sure I don't get in that same position again." Myers 'inspired' by Gout The 2024 season still featured highlights for Myers, who trains under the guidance of legendary coach Dick Telford. He claimed silver in the 1,500m at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, adding to Australia's record haul of 14 medals. Among Myers's fellow silver medallists was another teen sensation, Gout Gout, who was runner-up in the 200m final. Just like Myers, Gout's career is soaring after he broke Peter Norman's 56-year-old national 200m record in December when he ran 20.04, aged just 16. Gout, who has since turned 17, recently posted a wind-assisted 19.98 for the half-lap and he's one of the Maurie Plant Meet's headline acts. Myers and Gout are part of the youthful vibe the Australian track and field scene is enjoying as the sport builds towards the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane. "I think we almost feed off each other's energy a bit," Myers said. "I see Gout run and I'm … inspired by what he does. "It's good to have that crop (of young athletes) coming through, especially before Brisbane in 2032."