Australia will have two genuine medal chances in the women’s high jump in Tokyo after Nicola McDermott and Eleanor Patterson soared into the Olympic final in grand style.
National record holder McDermott sailed over at the first attempt at all four of her heights in the preliminary round on Thursday, including the automatic qualifying mark of 1.95m.
Patterson, the 2014 Commonwealth Games champion, was only marginally less impressive, missing once at 1.95m before joining the group of 14 women who advanced to Saturday’s final.
McDermott is ranked third in the world this year courtesy of her Australian record jump of 2.01m at the Stockholm Diamond League meet, while Patterson also sits inside the top 10.
“It was great out here and to do it with Eleanor – that was fun,” said McDermott, who is a devout Christian.
“As we got to 1.95m we’d been waiting around for ages and that’s not usual for Australians, our competitions are a bit more bam, bam bam.
“I just had such peace when I was attempting it.
I’m in great shape now and I didn’t have to be nervous because this is my gift back to God.
“I’ve done all the work and nothing would be wasted.”
Having already jumped 1.96m this season, Patterson was confident the automatic qualifying mark was well within her reach, with the prospect of even better to come when the medals are up for grabs.
“I knew I deserved to be in that final and I could get the job done,” said 25-year-old Patterson, who had departed the Rio 2016 competition in tears after crashing out in the qualifying round.
I’m pleased that I’ve made it and I’m going to go out there and have some fun on Saturday.
“It does give me confidence.
I’m really hitting my straps, I know that I can jump higher and I’m super excited for that.”
The only Australian woman to have won an Olympic high jump medal was Michele Brown, who took the silver at the 1964 Tokyo Games.
AAP
