Injured hurdler Michelle Jenneke vows to fight back at Olympic welcome home parade in Brisbane
Hurdler Michelle Jenneke looked a sad-sight at Brisbane’s Olympic welcome home parade, yet she’s determined to make it back for the World Championships.
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Heartbroken, on crutches and with a newly mended hamstring – Olympic hurdler Michelle Jenneke has vowed to get back to her Paris form in time for next year’s world championships.
The 31-year-old, was one of almost 60 Queensland Olympic and Paralympic athletes who turned out in Brisbane on Saturday for the welcome home parade.
More than 1000 fans gathered to watch as the athletes were paraded in through the Southbank Cultural precinct.
Chants of Aussie, Aussie, Aussie rang out and a marching band played Land Down Under as the stars stopped to take selfies and sign autographs.
Jenneke, who had surgery to reattach her hamstring just three weeks ago, said it was an incredible vibe.
The hurdler said a small thing like being on crutches wasn’t going to stop her from celebrating.
“I can hop around, I was definitely going to be here, it’s so nice to be with the Brisbane fans and really celebrate with all the other Olympians and Paralympians as well,” she said.
Jenneke had one of the most heartbreaking moments of the Paris Olympics. Going into the Games the sprinter was in peak condition – she had high expectations for herself.
She fell on her third hurdle in her opening heat of the 100m – bravely limping across the line.
Jenneke lined back up for the repechage knowing her hamstring was completely ruptured.
She finished the race in 13.86s but not enough to progress.
“It was really tough, especially because I was in really good shape,” Jenneke said.
“I was doing really well in the race before I hurt myself so it still hurts. I sometimes go back and look at that race and think of what could have been.
“But these things happen.
“I’m just focused now on getting better and hopefully getting back to that shame sort of shape I was in before I hurt myself.”
LA – might be thinking to far ahead for Jenneke – the sprinter instead setting her sights on next year’s world championships.
“It’s about three months of not being able to run at all and then slowly build up from there, so it’s quite a long road but we’ll try to get there,” she said.
After the athletes walked across the stage Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner presented all the Queensland Olympians and Paralympians with the keys to the city.
Schrinner said he hoped the athletes’ incredible stories of perseverance would inspire a new generation to aim for 2032 Brisbane Games.
Just as Mango Hill based Paralympic swimmer Brenden Hall inspired 19-year old Lewis Bishop a decade ago after he lost his leg in a boating accident.
Both Bishop and Hall competed in Paris together- with Bishop coming home with a bronze medal in the men’s 100m S9 butterfly.
Bishop described his Paralympic experience as “unlike anything else.”
“The crowd was exceptional and to see so many people in one area celebrating disability is pretty special to me,” Bishop said.
The teen said walking about precinct was a surreal moment for him.
“I used to come here when I was in hospital (after losing his leg), I was at Lady Cilento and I’d come down to South Bank with mum to watch the sunset – to walk through here, not in a wheelchair, in my Australian gear and have all these people celebrating is super special.”
Stingers’ Elle Armit said the significance of their historic silver medal performance in Paris was still sinking in.
Armit, set to return to the classroom at Gregory Terrace next term, said it was incredible what the victory had done for the sport of water polo.
“People are coming up to me on the street saying ‘you’re a Stinger’, it’s crazy,” Armit said.
“I’m very appreciative of all this support, we felt it all the way in Paris. I really hope this puts water polo on the map and the growth is exponential.”
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