Jess Hull’s 1500m silver medal outshines some golden moments at our greatest Games

Gold medals have dominated Australia’s Games but three silver medals contained performances for the ages and will long live in our memories.

They say that all that glitters is not gold, and Jess Hull, Maddi Keeney and the Australian Stingers have proved it.

Eighteen gold medals were the shiny studs in Australia’s Paris campaign but there are times when a silver somehow felt equally spectacular.

Take Keeney. In diving, beating the Chinese is like trying to outcook a Michelin chef, yet she somehow split two Chinese champions – with one of the difficult dives of the lot – in the three metre springboard to take a wonderful silver.

Hull’s also had a special glow. Respected caller Gerard Whateley said during the Games a medal of any colour by Hull in the 1500m would be Australia’s best of the Olympics. It comes down to the degree of difficulty.

Jess Hull with her silver medal. Picture: Al Bello/Getty Images

The winner of Hull’s race, Kenyan legend Faith Kipyegon, joined Usain Bolt as the only athlete to twice defend her Olympic track title. She has a Bolt like aura — and Hull stayed with her to the 100m.

As much as Australia luxuriates in its reputation as an outdoor nation, distance running is not our sport of excellence.

Australia are freaks at freestyle, brilliant at backstroke, can do any dipsy-doodle you want to order on a skateboard and race like scolded cats on BMX bikes. But when it comes to track and field it’s often been starvation rations as evidenced by the fact Hull’s medal was our first on the track since Sally Pearson 14 years ago in London. Australia still luxuriates in the deeds of the great Herb Elliott who won the Olympic 1500m in 1960. John Landy’s Olympic bronze in 1956 was another big moment.

Maddison Keeney took silver in the diving. Picture: Adam Pretty/Getty Images

But since those two, Australia’s return in those two events has been a big fat donut.

That is why this is so special.

Hull’s was a story of a ceaseless drive for excellence. As a 17-year-old Hull won the national championships with a time of 4:28 and in the next decade she shaved a staggering 32 seconds off that mark, underlining her fierce work ethic and relentless quest to strive for an Olympic medal.

Brought to you by

Her push for greatness took her to all sorts of exotic ports such as the University of Oregon where she studied human physiology, all the while picking up tiny tips about her own push for glory.

Much like Hull, the Australian women’s water polo felt more than the silver medal it was. They clawed and scrapped their way undefeated through the tournament until a heartbreaking 11-9 defeat to Spain.

Australia’s women’s water polo team also celebrated silver. Picture: Adam Head

Spain had won medals at four of the last five World Championships. They are strong and aggressive. But there was something special about this Stingers team.

They survived three penalty shootouts. They dethroned the United States in the semi-final.

They did it all with a calm, soothing positive aura. They ran towards the fire and didn’t melt from the pressure.

Originally published as Jess Hull’s 1500m silver medal outshines some golden moments at our greatest Games