AUSTRALIA has reached rare air today at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China as Nicola Olyslagers (NSW) soared into the history books to become the first Australian to go back-to-back at the global meet, while Leongatha's Eleanor Patterson delivered silver in a stunning one-two finish.
Their efforts secured Australia’s fourth and fifth medals in China, making the campaign the most successful World Athletics Indoor Championships for Australia on record.
The Olympic medallists both cleared 1.97m in a heart-stopping final, with Patterson only edged out on countback after an earlier miss at 1.92m.
Together, the high-flying duo toppled the Olympic champion and world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR), who despite having entered the competition as the world leader, could not clear 1.97m, leaving her to settle for bronze.
Speaking after her golden defence, Olyslagers reflected on the significance of the moment as well as the strength of Australian athletics.
“When I was out there competing, we were really testing a new run up. That’s something I learned from Yaroslava. She had the courage to try something new in an Olympic year, and that meant that I too could have the courage to do something new and big,” Olyslagers said.
“It was a joy being out there. There’s something beautiful about China and I felt like I needed to make the most of it. When Eleanor cleared 1.97m, it reminded me of the Australian Championships in Adelaide last year when we went head-to-head so China felt like being at home, and that too gave me courage to bring my best. I think we bring the best out of each other.
“And for Australia, this the best thing that could possibly happen winning gold and silver and for record medals. The night isn’t even over yet. The Olympics was great, Indoors is great. We’re really going places as a sport.”
Patterson, who claimed her fifth consecutive global medal, said it was “pretty cool to see Australia go 1-2.”
“It’s always an honour to wear the green and gold and it feels like yesterday was Paris and today we’re in China. I would have loved to have jumped higher, but I’m really proud. I’ve changed my run up completely, and in a lot of ways I would have loved more consistency before competing, but I love still being able to bring out some of my best performances.”
Patterson will now turn her attention to Oceania’s one and only World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet, the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne on Saturday, March 29, with the silver medallist looking to raise the bar to two metres.
“100%, it’s definitely the goal. Two-metres is well within my reach again and I’m in really good form to do that this year,” Patterson said.
“It’s also such an incredible honour to win my fifth global medal. We keep changing the colours between Nicola, Yaroslava and myself, and hopefully later this year in Tokyo (at the World Athletics Championships), I can win my sixth.”
The final day of the World Athletics Indoor Championships continues tonight. Tune in via SBS Viceland or SBS On Demand.
