‘Nearly lost my life’: Aussie Olympian Morgan Mitchell opens up on domestic violence incident

Australian Olympic athletics star Morgan Mitchell has opened up on one of the darkest moments of her life.

Two-time Aussie Olympic runner Morgan Mitchell has celebrated her 30th birthday by breaking her silence on a shocking domestic violence incident from when she was a teenager.

Mitchell, who represented Australia at both the 2016 Rio and 2021 Tokyo Olympics before being dumped on the eve of the Paris Games, posted to social media to celebrate her 30th birthday.

While the milestone birthday can have people reflecting on their past, Mitchell used the opportunity to share an important message after a shocking incident 12 years ago.

Mitchell posted a series of 13 photos including a shot of her injuries after the DV incident, as well as many more that “were all a part of my dream journal I created as a kid, and then again at 20 years old”.

“Wow … A milestone I never thought would be possible. I made it to 30 years old,” Mitchell began after a trigger warning.

“I nearly lost my life this time 12 years ago due to domestic violence which left me in hospital with concussion and a busted jaw. It’s crazy to think that at one point in my life I really thought I would miss out on moments like this.

“I’ve been blessed with the best 12 years of life since, making it my mission to tick off bucket list items and being relentless in my pursuit.

“If I can ask for anything this birthday it’s for everyone to click the link in my bio and learn more about @cottagebythesea_queenscliff. An incredible children’s charity giving underprivileged children the opportunity to experience a life away from negativity and to in-still in them the belief that no matter your background or upbringing, you can be whatever and whoever you want.

“I attended the Cottage as a child, and now I’m a 2 time Olympian.

“You never know which day will be your last and if my journey has taught me anything, it’s to be grateful for what you have, go after what you want, and to never give up.

“Also, protect our women & children.”

Mitchell, who has 111,000 followers on Instagram, received plenty of support for her message.

“You are really one in a million! And we are all lucky to have you in our lives,” athlete Anna Kelly posted.

Former Bachelorette Brooke Blurton commented: “You’re incredible.”

TV presenter Jessie Roberts added: “Happy birthday beautiful. You truly deserve the world xx”.

Cottage By The Sea also reached out, saying: “Happy bday and well done on all your achievements- hurdle over life’s bumps and embrace the positive opportunities.”

NRLW star Kennedy Cherrington commented: “You’re amazing wow.”

Mitchell said she "nearly lost my life" in a DV incident. Photo: Instagram

Mitchell has become a star for Australia. Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Mitchell has rarely spoken about the incident in public but touched on the subject in an interview with Gritty Pretty last year.

Asked about the greatest challenge she’d faced in her career, Mitchell delved into the aftermath of the incident.

“I suffered from a serious injury when I was 18 due to domestic abuse that left me in hospital,” Mitchell said.

“It’s something I haven’t really talked about a lot but it definitely was a defining moment because mentally, it stuck with me long after the incident.

“I started to question my self-worth and my motivation for sport and life.

“I do feel like it’s something I’m still overcoming but I have an incredible support system around me and I can be open about my feelings — something I wasn’t great at doing for years.

“I also believe in giving back to the community, I think that helps give me a sense of gratefulness regardless of what happened, there’s always someone going through worse.”

Mitchell was hoping to have been a three-time Olympian but was dumped out of nowhere by Athletics Australia ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

As Mitchell put it, the rug was pulled out from under her feet as Athletics Australia attempted to “pull the age card”.

“When AA drop you out of nowhere and keep others with the same injury (Achilles) and try to pull the age card, you think if there’s no belief you’ll just go away but I want to do it on my terms,’’ the 400m sprinter said to the Herald Sun.

“You get dropped and that’s it but it’s not a pity party because I’ve made lots of relationships and I’m not down about putting so much belief in the system.

“Changing coaches halfway through the season didn’t help and I’m turning 30 this year but I don’t feel old. I want to give it one last crack.”

Morgan Mitchell is striving to become a three-time Olympian. Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Mitchell is now aiming for the 2028 LA Olympics.

Mitchell, like so many young girls, got into Little Athletics after seeing Cathy Freeman dominate at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Deep down, she knew she would be heading to the Olympics.

She also played netball and basketball and moved away from athletics as a teenager. But she got back into the sport after the Rio Olympics had been announced. She worked hard and made her Olympic debut at the Rio Games at the age of 21 and competed in Tokyo in 2021.

For the Rio Olympics, she said she listened to her coach and did what she was told, but she tore her Achilles tendon ahead of Tokyo. It meant she had to change her entire training routine.

And now Mitchell has joined forces with Peter Fortune in an attempt to earn her place back in the Australian Olympic team for 2028.

Fortune helped guide Cathy Freeman to her famous gold medal during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

“I will head overseas again but with my new coach I’m adapting to a new style and (Peter) and I have had a good relationship since 2012,’’ she said.

“I wish I’d made the decision earlier but I’m grateful for my life and where we’re at. I’m in shape but as my last coach said, I lost a lot of confidence … I’m excited for the future.”

Originally published as ‘Nearly lost my life’: Aussie Olympian Morgan Mitchell opens up on domestic violence incident