Jana Pittman to be inducted into the NSW Sports Hall of Champions

AFTER one of the most legendary and unique careers in Australian sporting history, Jana Pittman is set to officially cement her legacy alongside some of our greatest sporting heroes

Jana Pittman will be inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions at the 2018 NSW Champions of Sport awards. Picture: Matthew Sullivan

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AS THE first Australian woman to compete in both the summer and Winter Olympic Games, Jana Pittman has had one of the most successful and unique sporting careers in Australian history.

Now the Bella Vista local is set to cement her legacy among NSW’ greatest sportsmen and women when she is inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions at the NSW Champions of Sport awards later this month.

“It’s an incredible honour,” the 35-year-old said of having her name included alongside such sporting greats as Dawn Fraser and Shane Gould.

Jana Pittman with (L-R) Cathy Freeman, Lauren Hewitt and Tamsyn Lewis after claiming gold in the women’s 4x400 relay at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Picture: Craig Borrow

“The people (inducted) before me are just extraordinary- true legends of Australian sport.

“It’s a little bit surreal that I was asked to join that club.”

Pittman’s sporting resume speaks for itself.

She is a two-time world champion in 400m hurdles and a four-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist in 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay.

Pittman crosses the line first in the women’s 400m hurdles final at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Picture: Phil Hillyard

However she says that one of her favourite sporting moments actually came after her retirement from athletics when she made her Winter Olympics debut in the two-woman bobsleigh in 2014.

“I thought my career was over,” Pittman said.

“I barely remember any of my other races but I very, very strongly remember pushing off the blocks at Sochi.

“Just looking off the top of the track, I made sure to take some time and really absorb the moment and all the hard work that went into getting to that point.”

Astrid Radjenovic and Jana Pittman during the 2014 Winter Olympics at Sochi, Russia. Picture: Al Bello/Getty Images

These days Pittman has traded in the athletics and bobsleigh tracks for medical school, of which she is set to enter her final year at Western Sydney University.

“There’s actually a lot of similarities between being an athlete and being a med student,” she said.

“They both require the same intense discipline and work ethic and I’m still pulling my hair out with demands.

“But it’s also been reinvigorating to some degree.

“A lot of athletes struggle with retirement so I’m very grateful that I’ve been able to have something to go on to.”

She is currently studying to become a doctor. Picture: Richard Dobson

Being inducted alongside Pittman is Catherine Cox, Julie Dolan, Melanie Roche and Mark Skaife.

The 2018 Champions of Sport Ceremony is being held at Rosehill Racecourse, Rosehill on Tuesday, November 27.

Tickets can be purchased at sportnsw.com.au