Long jumper Brooke Stratton is in form and a strong medal chance in Rio
A LOOK at the IAAF world list for women’s long jump tells the story. Brooke Stratton belongs on the world’s biggest stage and is among Australia’s main medal chances in Rio.
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A LOOK at the IAAF world list for women’s long jump tells the story.
Only two other women have jumped further than Brooke Stratton in 2016.
That statistic combined with a successful Diamond League experience has the 23-year-old finally believing that she belongs on the biggest stage in world sport.
Stratton is one of Australia’s main medal chances in Rio, particularly if she repeats her Australian record-breaking performance of 7.05m which she jumped in Perth in February.
“I feel like I belong a lot more out there now than I did at last year’s world championships,” she said. “I was extremely nervous going into that event (in Beijing) and I definitely think I will cope a lot better in Rio this year.”
A fourth place in Stockholm behind the reigning Olympic champion, and the current world champion, was a significant confidence boost for the Melbourne jumper.
“I think the experience of going over to Europe for the first time was really good for me leading into Rio, just getting those competitions under my belt,” Stratton said.
“I was competing against the best long-jumpers in the world and to finish fourth behind them was a real confidence boost for me.
“Only two women have jumped further than me this season which goes to show that if I could get a seven metre jump out in Rio then I could be pretty competitive.
“I don’t think the standard is as high as what it has been in the past so anything can happen.”
The exclusion of the Russians is a significant boost to Stratton’s chances given they have a good history in the event.
Former Australian record holder Bronwyn Thompson was denied a podium finish at the 2004 Athens Olympics by three Russians — two of whom were later busted for doping.
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