Olympics 2024: Athletics ace Jess Hull’s Paris goals changed in space of two huge runs in five days

Two runs have changed Australian runner Jess Hull’s Paris outlook, from dreaming about winning a medal in the 1500m to knowing she now has all the tools to make history for Australia.

NCA . PARIS, FRANCEÉ July 23, 2024. Paris Olympics Games. Australian Athletic team media day in Montpellier. 1500 mtr runner Jessica Hull poses at todays media day . Pic: Michael Klein

In the space of two weeks the goalposts changed dramatically for Jess Hull.

She went from dreaming about winning a medal in the 1500m to knowing she now has all the tools to make history for Australia.

Earlier this month Hull put the rest of the world on notice when she smashed her own national record by more than five seconds when she pushed world champion Faith Kipyegon in a world record breaking race at the Paris Diamond League meet.

Five days later she came out and broke the 2000m world record in Monaco which added another layer of confidence to her pursuit of becoming the first Australian woman to win an Olympic medal in the 1500m.

Jessica Hull now has the belief she can make history at the Olympics. Picture: Michael Klein

“Everything I have done has been to give myself a chance to medal and the last two weeks of racing validated that,” Hull said from Australia’s training camp in Montepellier.

“It shows that I have done the work, I have done the training and that I am in the shape that I kind of think is going to take to win a meda.

“Then to actually physically go out in that Diamond League race and execute that . . . I have had the best prep I could have possibly had, some really great races over the last few weeks and I am the best I can be and if that is enough that would be a good day.”

Until that Diamond League race, Kipyegon had lived on a pedestal for Hull. The Kenyan had been so far ahead of the pack in the 1500m, winning the past two Olympic gold medals and also three world titles.

But that all changed in Paris where the 27-year-old Australian decided to have a “free swing” at trying to match the GOAT and the result was stunning, she gave Kipyegon a serious fright and was still on her shoulder with 200m to go.

Australia's Jessica Hull celebrates after breaking the women’s 2000m world record. Picture: AFP

“In Paris I already had enough points for the Diamond League final so it was a bit of a free swing as I didn’t really need any bonus points (to qualify),” Hull said.

“So i figured if I blow up, I blow and I was actually surprised how far I got. It was so cool just to kind of have that opportunity to see how far I can go with her.

“I clipped her stride right on the 1000m mark and she looked back like someone is coming with me. And then down the back straight she had another look as she started to pull away.

“I was hanging on for my life and I felt at any point she could flick the switch and run away from me. She has been at the top of our event for so long now, she still very much has the upper hand but it was good to surprise her a little bit.”

When asked if Kipyegon can be beaten in Paris, Hull points to the fact the Kenyan is attempting to win the 1500m/5000m double, like she did at last year’s world championships in Budapest.

The difference at the Olympic Games is the scheduled has been changed with the 5000m first - the heats on the second night of competition with the final on Day 5 on August 5 - and the 1500m heats starting on the morning of Day 6 with the final four days later on August 10.

“She (Kipyegon) is going to double in the 5000m and the 1500m which is challenging but she is definitely capable of it,” Hull said.

“She did it in Budapest last year but the order is reversed this year.

“Every woman on that line in the final has a chance and I think if you don’t race like you have a chance then what is the point of being out there.”