Competing in the pole vault event at the Paris Games, Nina Kennedy of Australia secured her country’s 18th gold medal, setting a new national record for the Olympics. Her victory came after successfully clearing the height to take the lead, leading to a jubilant celebration with the crowd as she punched the air in excitement.
Aussie fans in the stands proudly displayed their flag, green-and-gold banners, and yellow inflatable kangaroos, adding to the festive atmosphere at the event. The moment of triumph for Kennedy was solidified when her competitor, Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Katie Moon, failed to clear 4.95 meters during the three-hour final.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Kennedy embraced her supporters in the crowd, shedding tears of joy and sharing heartfelt moments with friends and family, including bronze medalist Matthew Denny. As the realization of her achievement set in, Kennedy’s elation was evident as she hopped with delight across the track.
Surpassing Australia’s previous record of 17 gold medals in a Summer Games, set in Athens 2004 and in Tokyo three years ago, Kennedy’s gold contributed to the country’s meteoric rise in the medal tally. With a total of 18 gold, 12 silver, and 11 bronze medals, Australia now stands in third place in the gold-medal standings behind the United States and China, with four days left in the Paris Games.
Among Australia’s other gold medal victories on the same day were the men’s team pursuit cycling team, sailor Matt Wearn defending his title, and skateboarder Keegan Palmer securing back-to-back Olympic golds. Palmer, receiving praise from skateboarding legend Tony Hawk and musician Snoop Dogg, expressed his gratitude for the support and the opportunity to represent Australia.
With Brisbane selected to host the Summer Games in 2032 after Los Angeles in 2028, the future looks bright for Australian athletes as they continue to shine on the global stage, showcasing their talent and dedication to their country.
