Tom Cruise impressed by 'Sunrise' host Matt Shirvington's career as a pro sprinter: 'I saw you run'

Tom Cruise revealed he has not had much professional coaching but had been an athlete his whole life

PUBLISHED JUL 3, 2023

Matt Shirvington stunned Tom Cruise with his Olympic history (JC Olivera, Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tom Cruise was highly impressed when 'Sunrise' host Matt Shirvington disclosed that he had competed as a professional sprinter during a recent interview. The action star, 61, was taken aback by the revelation shared by the 44-year-old Shirvington, who interviewed Cruise ahead of the premiere of his new film, 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One'.

"As a kid growing up, I was a sprinter. I went to the Olympic Games as a sprinter," Shirvington revealed. "Wow," responded Cruise, clearly impressed by the revelation. "I saw you run," he added after finding out what year and event he participated in.

'If I ever meet Tom Cruise...'

"I went to the Sydney Games in the year 2000 and [competed] in the 100 meters," Shirvington answered. He then said, "I said if I ever meet Tom Cruise, I'm going to ask him. Did you have any formal training? Did you have a coach? Because when I look at it, you're a good runner."

'I've been an athlete my whole life'

Cruise responded, "I've just been an athlete my whole life, gymnastics and I'd love to sprint since I came out running. I was like that little kid that would get a new pair of sneakers and hit every puddle and you're sprinting. I've had not a lot of training, but sometimes through the years I just get a little bit of coaching and I had different coaches growing up."

Matthew Shirvington of Australia in action during the first round of the men's 100m heats at the 9th IAAF World Athletics Championship August 24, 2003 in Paris, France. — Matthew Shirvington of Australia in action during the first round of the men's 100m heats at the 9th IAAF World Athletics Championship August 24, 2003, in Paris, France (Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Tom Cruise then explained the secret behind his athleticism, saying, "I watch people. I study and then I try different things on my own and I'm someone who I'll watch someone and then I'll imitate them and then I read about other people's training and, and I'll train with different Olympians." "Well if you ever need a coach. Let me know," Shirvington said.

Cruise was left thoroughly impressed when producers played a video during the interview featuring Shirvington competing in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games wearing a tight Lycra outfit. The clip in the video was juxtaposed with a clip of him running in his new movie. This interview took place after the recent release of the official trailer for the upcoming 'Mission: Impossible' installment. 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One' marks Cruise's seventh film in the 'MI' franchise and is scheduled to release in theaters on July 12th.