Australia's Eleanor Patterson Wins Women's High Jump Event in Glasgow 2014
Fewer scenes can match the sight of a teenager making the best out of her abilities. Eleanor Patterson, at 18 years of age, has won a gold medal in the women's high jump event by jumping 1.94m, at the 2014 Commonwealth Games; a sight to savor for an Aussie and an inspiration for women across the globe. At such a tender age, she has done what athletes dream of doing once in their careers.
Eleanor Patterson, a 12th grade student, made history for Australia as she became the first woman in 20 years to win a gold in the women's high jump event. Eleanor couldn't believe what she just did.
"I didn't realize (I had won). The event goes so fast I didn't realize I had it and then my coach is telling me I've won and I was like, 'What?! No! 'So it still doesn't feel real that's for sure," she said via The Sydney Morning Herald. "I'm not much for crowds. I'm a really quiet person so I just wanted to hug my family and my coaches." She was trailing to her opponent, Isobel Pooley, but held her nerves to clinch a gold medal.
Eleanor had set her personal best of 1.96m this year and was all set to announce herself in the junior world championship this year. However, she decided to compete in the Commonwealth Games instead and compete with the adults to set higher standards. She seems to have decided what was right for her.
Crowds were tipped as a distraction for her as she practices at the vacant parks around her residence. This has a lot to do with her humble nature and quiet demeanor. She was not fazed for a moment among the roar of 40,000 capacity stadium. "It's so huge in the sense of the crowd and the atmosphere it's harder to keep your cool I guess and I just had to relax and pretend it was like any other comp," Eleanor remarked.
She has a lot to handle at a very small age. Cameras were flashing around her, media persons asking for her interviews. She has to cope with her studies as well which would be the first priority for Aussie star. However, she has already done for her country what athletes in 20 years couldn't.
Eleanor's story has hit its peaks at the start of her career. With the Rio Olympics and World Championship in sight, will she be able to jump higher in the years to come?
