Eleanor Patterson, Cohuna’s adopted Olympian, won bronze in the women’s high jump on Monday morning (our time) and with fellow high jumper Nicola Olyslagers, made Australian Olympic history.
Patterson jumped a season best of 1.95m, placing equal third. Olyslagers won silver with a jump of 2.00m. It is the first time Australia has had two medallists in the same field event. Joining the Australians on the podium were Ukrainian athletes winning gold and equal bronze.
“I’m in a lot of disbelief, especially the disappointment of not clearing 198 and kind of the self-analysis that you can’t help but have as an athlete,” Eleanor said.
“You always want more, and I know I’ve got a lot more in me as far as my performance and my jumps but then to come away with the bronze, I’m so, so proud.
“This has been a dream from when I was an eight-year-old, when I first stepped on the track at Little Aths as a little girl, this very shy girl, who has been obsessed with athletics from a very young age and now I’m an Olympic medalist, so it’s very exciting.”
Eleanor is the daughter of former Cohuna woman Helen Patterson (nee Gray) and granddaughter of the late Fred Gray.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 8 August 2024.
