PARIS – Australia’s Nina Kennedy clinched the gold medal in the women’s pole vault at the Olympics on Wednesday, a year after she shared the top position with American competitor Katie Moon at the world championships.
The 27-year-old athlete achieved a season-best clearance of 4.90 meters, celebrating her victory exuberantly after a fierce competition with Moon.
“I’ve been very open to the media, I wasn’t going to share this year,” Kennedy stated to reporters. “I didn’t want to share it this time, I wanted to win outright and I’m happy I got the job done.”
Moon, the gold medalist from Tokyo and a two-time world champion, cleared 4.85 meters to secure the silver medal. Canada’s Alysha Newman also cleared the same height but took home the bronze due to having more failed attempts.
Kennedy and Moon opted to share the gold at last year’s world championships in Budapest after both cleared 4.90 meters. Moon had defended the decision amid criticism, stating that vaulting can become riskier as fatigue sets in.
“To walk away healthy and with a gold medal while celebrating with my friend that had jumped just as well was a no-brainer,” Moon remarked in Budapest. “Part of the reason we’ve reached the highest level is by listening to our bodies.”
On Wednesday at Stade de France, there would be no sharing for Kennedy. She only failed on her first attempt at 4.70 meters, then cleared the subsequent heights easily.
After Kennedy’s successful jump at 4.90 meters, Moon’s only opportunity to claim the victory was by clearing 4.95 meters; however, both athletes were unsuccessful at that height.
“I had a sneaking suspicion victory was in the bag after 4.90,” Kennedy commented.
This win served as redemption for Kennedy after her elimination during the preliminary round at the Tokyo Olympics due to a serious quadriceps injury.