Aussie Matthew Denny claims bronze in Olympic men’s discus final

One of Australia’s top athletes stunned the world during an incredible Olympic men’s discus final, but he’s already turning a golden eye to Brisbane. Read what one of our latest medal-winners had to say.

Australia’s Matthew Denny has bronze in the final of the men’s discus at the Paris Olympics. Picture: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

It wasn’t the medal he truly wanted, but an emotional Matthew Denny is proud of his bronze medal performance in Paris.

In an eventful men’s discus final the Aussie powerhouse finished third – beaten by two Olympic record throws.

Denny had one hand on silver early in the final with his second throw touching down at 69.31cm.

Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna then set an Olympic record throwing 69.97m to beat the record set by his father Virgiljus at Athens 2004.

Jamaica’s Rojé Stona than bettered Alekna’s mark to claim gold with a throw of 70m.

“If you told me the comp was going to go the way it did today, I wouldn’t have said no, but the way it all played out I didn’t expect,” Denny told Channel 9 after the final.

“I’m super happy with it and how I competed. I had fun. It’s not the result I’m exactly looking for, but I wasn’t far off.

“My wife and I were laughing about that, no more fourth.

“It’s definitely a step in the right direction, and I’m just really proud of what my team and I have done.”

Women's pole vault gold medallist Nina Kennedy celebrates with Matthew Denny. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The result is a huge relief for Denny after the 28 year old from the small country town of Allora, Queensland missed bronze by just 5cm at the Tokyo Olympics.

In the aftermath of his performance Denny was seen celebrating with his team and fellow Aussie Nina Kennedy, who won gold in the women’s pole vault, but it appears his attention may already be on Brisbane 2032.

“I can’t not be proud of my performance, but the inner critic wants more, and I know there’s more there,” he said.

“To get a medal is amazing but the critic is still there in me. We’ll go again. My goal is to get to Brisbane in 2032.”

Closer to home Mick Smith was among the Darling Downs faithful celebrating Denny’s achievements in Paris.

The Sports Darling Downs president said it was amazing to see an athlete shine on the grandest sport stage of all.

“Only a very small percentage of athletes get to be Olympians,” Smith said.

“Even fewer still get to win a medal, what Matt has achieved is absolutely amazing.

“Matt is an amazing young man who has worked very hard to achieve what he has.”

For more than a decade Sport Darling Downs has been supporting junior and senior athletes across the region.

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 07: Matthew Denny of Team Australia competes Men's Discus Throw Final on day twelve of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 07, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The not-for-profit has raised more than $1.5 million to help athletes pursue their sporting dreams.

As a two-time junior and senior SDD Sport Star of the Year winner – Denny has been one of the organisations key recipients.

“We’re quite chuffed with what we’ve been able to do to help athletes from across the Darling Downs,” Smith said.

“Not every athlete will go on to be an Olympian or compete at the highest level because a lot really needs to go your way.

“But to be able help our region’s athletes in any way we can is something special to us.

“It’s not all us though, everything we do is thanks to the support of the Darling Downs community and all our generous, passionate sponsors and business that support us.”

The rural community of Allora was up before the crack of dawn, glued to their TV screen as Matt Denny prepared his final throw.

Allora Regional Sports Museum president Perry Cronin was among the many proudly cheering Matt on at 4.30am.

“Everyone in town was watching, I don’t know of anyone who didn’t,” Mr Cronin said.

Mr Cronin said it was a shame Denny was too far away to have a beer with to celebrate, with the town to make a fuss when he returns home.

Perry Cronin of the Allora Regional Sports Museum as the Allora community celebrate their Olympian, Matthew Denny, Thursday, August 8, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A signed Commonwealth Games flag along with an array of other sports memorabilia honouring Mr Denny sits proudly inside the local sports museum.

Denny’s face is a hard one to miss around town, with it literally painted out the front of the Railway Hotel.

The only thing missing from the mural now is the colour bronze.