“I seem only be able to win in Glasgow!” joked Eleanor Patterson after winning the high jump gold in soaking wet conditions that led to a delay in the competition, and the evacuation of spectators via the track while competition was still running.
With a clean sheet until 1.96m, while her competitors including Nicola Olyslagers struggled, it was world class jumping in trying conditions.
On its surface, it was an excellent preparation and execution when it mattered.
“I’ve jumped in very similar… twice last year I jumped in very similar conditions. So this year I was like – ‘I know what to do.'”
But for 30-year-old Patterson, it was something more. Thrust into the national spotlight when she won the 2014 Commonwealth Games as a schoolgirl, it has been a rollercoaster – or a non-linear path as she puts it – in a sport where success is usually only measured in linear increments.
She quit the sport 4 years later when she failed to make the Australian team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Four more years, come 2022, and she had returned, stronger and wiser, capturing the world title in Eugene before winning silver at the Birmingham Games.
“I’m so different. I hardly spoke when I was 18 and I was very, very shy. I had no idea who I was – I was still in year 12 at high school.
Eleanor Patterson
“I have worked with two different coaches in between that time, and now I’ve finally found the people that I’m very proud to work with, and very happy to work with.”
Nicola Olyslagers, who cleared 1.93m for silver, has had the more linear career, consistently improving her PB, without interruption. Interestingly, it was the 61st time that Patterson and Olyslagers had lined up head-to-head and they share the spoils: 30 wins a piece, and one tie.
Patterson vs Olyslagers
Every head-to-head, 2011–2026
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games excluded (Olyslagers did not compete). The tie is the Canberra Grand Prix, March 2017 (both equal 2nd at 1.85m). The 2017 Australian Championships qualifying round is counted as a contest.
Heights cleared, meeting by meeting
Patterson vs Olyslagers at all 62 head-to-heads, 2011–2026 · hover any point for the meet
Olyslagers has no mark at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (did not compete); her line spans that gap. No head-to-head meetings took place between March 2018 and February 2020.
Olyslagers paid tribute to Patterson in her post event interview.
“I think Eleanor just brings the very best out of me,” she said.
“I think it’s been a memorable night that people are waking up, having their breakfast cereal, and watching a world-class high jump competition in the rain.”
The weather, which caused delay to the competition, flooded the venue. It required spectators to be evacuated via the track surface to be able to leave the suburban Scotstoun Stadium. It’s been a Games like no other, and perhaps fittingly so for Patterson, given her career arc.
“It’s been a wild 12 years and I wouldn’t change anything for the world, but I am very, very happy where I am today.”
Eleanor Patterson
Watch Eleanor’s post event interview
