Six Feet Under to the Top of the World | Eleanor Patterson’s World Title Resurgence

For Eleanor Patterson, it has never been a question of if she can do it.

Seldom are athletes better to watch than the high-flying Australian at her best. From a state of tranquility to maximum velocity in a matter of seconds, with a steely-eyed stare at the bar almost daring it to fall off – the act is mesmerising in its entirety.

At 2.02m, Patterson’s career reached the new high of the 2022 world title, but at six-feet under in 2018 – she had to unearth the enjoyment of jumping that allowed it to flourish in the first place.

“My career did die in a lot of ways; I didn’t step foot on a track or in a gym for over a year. I was sitting on the couch and it was dead and gone,” Patterson said.

Patterson had lost the spring out of her step as her talent was rendered useless by her unhappiness, but the former World Youth and Commonwealth champion was crying out for care over coaching – with Alex Stewart and his established team in Sydney able to provide both at the highest level.

“This is a different Eleanor in so many facets, in the last three years life has changed so much. Being away for a year and not enjoying the sport, and not being happy, it got to a point where I knew I wasn’t finished,” Patterson said.

“It’s not easy coming back. There was trial and error with my body, new training plans, injuries, and hardships. I was able to pull out some random performances, but it hasn’t been until this year that I could do it consistently.”

Patterson’s decorated 2022 campaign featured silver medals at both the World Athletics Indoor Championships and Commonwealth Games, a Diamond League meeting win, an equal outdoor national record, and two national indoor records – but it was her world crown that etched her name into track and field history and cemented her status as one of Australia’s greats.

“I’m honestly struggling in so many ways to process what’s happened tonight, I’m in disbelief. I had to dig deep in so many moments throughout the competition. I didn’t make it easy for myself and the calibre of women I was up against was phenomenal,” Patterson said.

“We have to repeat and repeat and repeat the same movement. I am overjoyed to clear that height [2.02m]. I knew I had it in me but to bring it out under so much pressure, I’m so proud of myself.”

Despite a foot injury hindering her preparation, Patterson navigated the most chaotic of high jump finals with flying colours, forced to harness her emotion and energy in front of a rocking Hayward Field as the world’s premier women continued to raise the bar.

“Even from 1.98m and beyond, I was showing a lot more emotion than I usually do. My heart was racing and when I cleared 2.02m I had to keep calm because I didn’t think it would be over – I thought we would have to clear 2.04m,” Patterson said.

“At the end of the day it’s me against me, it’s best to remove yourself and keep yourself calm. I was watching Matt Denny, he’s such a wonderful friend of mine and we have been on teams together since we were 17.”

The 26-year-old credited her world conquering feat and year to her team who served as the catalyst behind her resurgence, with Patterson adamant that her current environment can spur her on to greater achievements, heights, and happiness in the years to come.

“I knew from a young age I could clear big heights and believed that I could be a high performer because I was clam in a lot of ways. This is where I am meant to be – partnered with Alex Stewart in Sydney, surrounded by these people. This is what it has brought to fruition and I am really proud of my team and myself,” Patterson said.

“The last three years of working with Alex and the relationship there has shown a skerrick of what I am capable of, I believe.”

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 21/9/2022