Country town inspiration leading Aussie high jumper to Paris

For a town of just over 5000 people, Leongatha packs a punch when producing elite athletes, including soon-to-be three-time Olympian Eleanor Patterson.

For a town of just over 5000 people, Leongatha in Victoria’s Gippsland packs a punch when producing elite athletes, but arguably none are more notable than Olympic high jumper Eleanor Patterson.

A world-champion in 2022 in Oregon, US, followed by a silver medal in 2023 six months after breaking her foot, Eleanor is gearing up for her third successive Olympics campaign in Paris, and takes pride in representing her hometown.

Eleanor Patterson with her ticket to Paris during the Australian 2024 Paris Olympic Games Athletics Squad Announcement at SA Athletics Stadium on April 14, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. Picture: Sarah Reed

“It’s a very idyllic way of growing up in a lot of ways. I lived in town but my grandparents always had big property, so me and my many cousins were always running amok on hay bale stacks, riding motorbikes, running horses,” Eleanor said.

The Olympic dream began for Eleanor as an eight-year-old, where she tagged along with a friend to Little Athletics one day, and broke the high jump record.

“From then I was begging my mum and dad to take me back again, and always wanted to know the highest level that I could go to.”

Australia's Eleanor Patterson competes in the women's high jump final during the World Athletics Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on July 19, 2022. Picture: Jim Watson

Eleanor counts former Australian 1500m runner Kaila McKnight, who grew up in nearby Stony Creek, as a role model.

“Seeing that someone from my area, in athletics as well, had gone and done it and come from a country town was a huge inspiration for me. I think it just made it feel possible that I could also do it,” she said.

Australia's Kaila McKnight (centre) runs during the Women's 1500m heat at the Olympic Games in London, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. Picture: Dave Hunt

As for Paris, the 28-year-old said her experience at previous Olympic campaigns in Rio and Tokyo, as well as success at the World Championships, should hold her in good stead.

“Winning in 2022 was huge, (it was) a moment of just such elation … and I think what makes these moments far better is the fact that my parents were there,” she said.

“Sharing (success) with others are the moments you just want to bottle up and savour.”