High jump history beckons, McSweyn powers for final push

Australia is on the precipice of history as two of the country’s strongest medal hopes in Eleanor Patterson and Nicola Olyslagers take flight for gold, while middle-distance star Stewart McSweyn looks to close the country’s campaign in style on the final night of the World Athletics Championships. 

Never before has Australia had two athletes on the podium in an individual event at the World Athletics Championships but tonight that could all change as reigning world champion Eleanor Patterson (NSW, Alex Stewart) and world leader Nicola Olyslagers (NSW, Matt Horsnell) get set to soar in the Women’s High Jump. 

Poised to be an unforgettable showdown between the equal Australian record holders at 2.02m, the pair will duel alongside their international rivals in an attempt to retain the country’s coveted crown. 

The Qualification round saw the Australian duo book their spots for tonight’s final with ease. Patterson oozed confidence when walking away with a perfect score-sheet and a clearance of 1.92m, while Olyslagers missed just one at the same height but believes the arena will become her own.

Despite a shaky start to the year which saw the gold medallist break her foot, Patterson has come back to competition with a vengeance, clearing heights of 1.96m after only two competitions on the circuit. The 27-year-old’s confidence has soared just as high as she aims to go back-to-back.

“It has not been an easy journey in any way to get back to this shape. I had surgery on February 14, so that was six months ago, and because it was my takeoff food, it wasn’t guaranteed that I would be able to jump and demand what I need from it. There was no guarantee that I was going to be here, that’s for sure,” Patterson said.

“My first competition back was the Silesia Diamond League where I jumped 1.89m and there was a lot of emotion attached in that I was back jumping, but within a five day period, I turned around to jump 1.96. It was really affirming to me that I’m back and I can jump big.”

In scintillating form throughout 2023, the Olympic silver medallist is as well credentialed, having won nine of ten meets this year and will be out to add another global medal to her collection, as well as a new personal best and Australian record that has eluded her all year. 

“I’m just keeping it the same as what I’ve done all season. I’m not trying to defend something, especially when I lost that competition in Poland. I wasn’t like, “I lost my winning streak.” In Monaco I changed it around and I was doing it from a place of joy,” Olyslagers said. 

“I want to jump a PB and I’m so hungry to do it and that’s what I’m aiming for all season. Yes there is confidence, I’m not only here for a medal but I’m here because I want that Australian record.

“Me and Eleanor, we’re on the same page and that’s what I’m going in for. This is it. This is going to be the stadium, I’m saying it.”
 
The journey to the top of the podium won’t come without its challenges for the Australians as they come against two fellow two-metre jumpers, both looking to claim Ukraine’s first gold medal of the meet. 2022 silver medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh  season’s best of 2.02m suggests the Australians are in for a fight, while Iryna Gerashenko joins her compatriot in career-best form having set a new personal best this year of 2.00m. Add USA’s Vashti Cunningham and her two-metre clearance this year in the mix, and competition becomes white-hot. 

Stewart McSweyn (TAS, Nic Bideau) will close Australia’s campaign at the World Athletics Championships in style, as he gears up for an intense battle in the Men’s 5000m Final. 

Advancing through to the Final on Thursday by the decision of the referee, the Tasmanian is out to prove he belongs there with the best, despite his unlucky run of performances that saw him tripped in his 5000m heat and rolled out of the 1500m early into his campaign in the Hungarian capital. 

“It only takes one race to change your luck, so I’m hoping I can put myself in a good place in the race and be ready to compete hard.

Ranked number 22 in the world over the distance, McSweyn leaning on his tactical prowess in an attempt to topple the likes of world rank number one, Berihu Aregawi (12:40.45), 1500m world leader Jakob Ingebrigsten (NOR, 12:48.45) as well as Spain’s global  Mohamed Katir (12:45.01), currently ranked at world number two.

“Hopefully I can be aggressive and put myself in a position to compete against the best tomorrow night. Everyone in any world final is world class, so I’m looking forward to the challenge and opportunity of taking on the best in the world.”

Australian audiences can tune into the World Athletics Championships live and free on SBS VICELAND, SBS On Demand and beIN Sport. Full start lists can be found HERE.  

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 27/8/2023