Like many of her Australian teammates in Tokyo, Nicola McDermott has soared to new heights on the Olympic stage – claiming the silver medal in the women’s high jump with a new national and area record of 2.02m.
Nicola McDermott (Gosford Little Athletics) made history in April when becoming the first Australian woman to clear the 2.00m barrier, before raising that mark to 2.01m in Stockholm and now 2.02m in Tokyo to become only Australia’s second female Olympic medalist in the event after Michelle Brown in 1964.
The 24-year-old was valiant in challenging for the gold medal, registering a fantastic attempt at 2.04m in a bid to stay alive in the competition and scoring herself a 10/10 in her journal despite not making it over the bar.
“I felt the clearance in the air but just the lack of experience and the timing meant that it just didn’t happen today but to come second to a three-time world champion [Mariya Lasitskene], I can’t complain, I’m so thankful,” McDermott said.
McDermott says the major focus leading into the competition was on producing her absolute best.
“We knew that if I did a personal best that I would be up in the medals and that really kept me grounded, rather than trying to chase gold to just stick to the plan and jump as high as I can,” McDermott said.
“Even though I jumped 2.02m tonight I know that there are higher heights and if I am very strategic in the way that I write, I know that in my next competitions I will have that fresh on the paper and hopefully get the 2.04m or the 2.05m."
The Australian has not been an overnight sensation, with her hard work dating back over years of trial and error.
“My first world championships I came last. I didn’t clear a single bar. There’s always that thought that lurks in my head of could this be the time that I don’t clear the starting height, but I just have to remember I have a clean slate and I’m with God and carrying a message bigger than myself,” McDermott said.
“I’m not trying to put a cap on it anymore, the world record is 2.09m and I’m just going to keep on jumping and analysing it because I just see every single jump I do I’m not just carrying myself over the bar, I’m carrying the hopes of the nation.”
Eleanor Patteson (Leongatha Little Athletics Centre) finished in fifth place of the competition with an equal season’s best of 1.96m after an interrupted lead up to the Games, improving on her Olympic debut in Rio where she failed to make the final.
“I’m quite disappointed in myself, I was hoping for a medal, but the intention was to jump 2.00m,” Patterson said.
The Leongatha product had the best seats in the house as her compatriot soared to Olympic glory, full of praise for domestic rival.
“I stayed out to watch Nicola. She’s Australian, we know each other quite well, I support her and I have great respect. It was phenomenal to see, I’m so happy for her,” Patterson said.
Earlier in the day, Sinead Diver (Nic Bideau) became only the second Australian woman in history to finish in the top 10 of an Olympic marathon, crossing the line in 10th place to join Lisa Ondieki as the only Australians to achieve the feat.
Diver’s time of 2:31:14 was largely irrelevant given the hot and humid conditions in Sapporo, with the race brought forward by one hour increase athlete safety. The 44-year-old was placed 32nd at 10km, 27th at 20km, 20th at 30km and 10th at the finish – demonstrating her capacity to execute her race plan to perfection.
“I’m speechless, I’m so happy! I didn’t expect to come top ten so I’m absolutely stoked that I fought for that spot at the end and managed to do that,” she said.
“My coaches Nic [Bideau] and Collis [Birmingham] said to me before the race that the first 90 minutes you just have to feel relatively comfortable because the race doesn’t start until after that. I just gave it everything from about 32-k’s and you know it’s still a long way so I’m relieved that I was able to stay strong until the end.”
An emotional Diver spoke post-race about the challenges of leaving her two sons Eddie and Dara back in Australia to chase her Olympic dream, eager to return home to her family.
“I’ve been away from my kids for quite a few weeks now and I really miss them. I hope they are proud of their Mum and I want to thank my husband Colin. He has supported me so much throughout this, so I’m very grateful,” Diver said.
Ellie Pashley (Albury Little Athletics Centre) was the second Australian woman across the line, finishing in 23rd place in a time of 2:33:39. On Olympic debut, Pashley’s patience was her greatest asset in achieving the positive result – progressing her way through the field as the race unfolded.
“We’ve all got a huge amount of respect for each other. Lisa and Sinead have done amazing things in their careers and they are huge role models for me,” Pashley said.
Pashley was followed by Lisa Weightman (Preston Little Athletics Centre) in 26th position who stopped the clock at 2:34:19 – completing her fourth Olympic marathon and recording her second best result.
“It was very hot, we all felt it. It did feel like a battlefield when we were all getting ready; ice baths, ice towels, the works. It has been an experience that we will never forget,” Weightman said.
Like Diver, Weightman has left her young family behind in Australia to attend this year’s Olympic Games – looking forward to reuniting with her son Pete and partner Lachlan.
There weren’t many Australians under more pressure leading into the Games than Stewart McSweyn (Ballarat Little Athletics Centre). The Australian had qualified in the 1500m, 5000m and 10,000m before opting to go all-in on the metric mile – prominent among medal discussions.
McSweyn raced in his trademark aggressive manner to give himself the best chance of achieving his goals, but ultimately came up short finishing in a respectable seventh place in a time of 3:31.91 – a time that would have won every other Olympic 1500m final in history.
“I went in with big goals. To finish seventh probably doesn’t achieve the goal I was after, but to run 3:31 in an Olympic final is something I can’t be too disappointed about. I put myself in the right spot, the legs just weren’t there but the effort was. I just have to keep trying to get better,” McSweyn said.
The King Island product was quick to turn his attention to the future, with the immensely talented 26-year-old determined to build from the result in the coming years.
“I can take confidence that I’m in the mix. My training was at a different level coming in and I thought everything indicated I was top three. It’s a little bit humbling,” McSweyn said.
“There are three years until the next Olympics and I just have to keep working.”
Oliver Hoare (Geelong Little Athletics) finished in 11th place of the race after clocking 3:35.79 at not only his first Olympic Games, but so too first Australian team at any level.
“To have the opportunity to represent my country at this level, in this sport, is a privilege. The emotional and mental build up was something that I’m not used to and I need to work on that,” Hoare said.
“The more international fields I can muster, the better I’ll be for it. This is my first time representing my country at any level, so it’s an important thing to take in and learn from. I’m looking forward to improving on this performance.”
The track and field program is now complete, with only Australia’s three male marathoners left to compete tomorrow morning.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Coles Little Athletics Australia acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we work, run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.
We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to honor their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and recognize the role and value of culture.
