Australian sports fans were curious to know what high jump silver medallist Nicola McDermott was writing in her notebook after each event at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Getty Images
When Nicola McDermott thrilled Australian sports fans with her astounding performance in the high jump at the Tokyo Olympics, one question was on everyone’s mind.
What did she write in her diary after every jump?
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Viewers were quick to notice that every time McDermott took on a challenge, she would pull out her green diary and start scribbling.
As the 24-year-old set a new Australian record and catapulted herself into medal contention, more and more fans wanted to know what she was writing about.
Luckily for curious viewers at home, McDermott was more than happy to share the secret.
“I was giving myself a rating out of 10 on every element of the jump,” she said.
“Last time I was great, I gave myself a 10 out of 10, but I still had work to do.
“Writing on my T-shirt is part of my process in athletics. I wrote it every time I jumped the bar. It helped me to stay focused and think, ‘What do I need to work on?’ instead of getting carried away by my emotions. Because after you hit two metres, it’s so tempting to step back.”
“But I knew I had things to work on, so I just kept working at it.”
Not only did McDermott set a new Australian record of 2.02 metres, but she also became the first Australian woman to clear the two metre mark at an Olympic Games.
Anyone else dying to know what Nicola McDermott is writing in her diary whilst chasing gold in the high jump?! I’m here to write the diary. #High jump #Tokyo2020
Just how good was Australia’s athletics team?!
— Jane Goldsmith (@janegoldnbn) August 7, 2021
A fascinating book offering a glimpse into the psychology of elite high jump athletes.
After each jump, McDermott comes back and writes in his notebook.
What does she write? She ranks herself on different aspects of her jump (run-up, take-off, etc.).
Then, choose one area to focus on for your next jump. pic.twitter.com/LRY0kLYiaA
— Steve Magness (@stevemagness) August 7, 2021
She also became the first Australian woman to win a medal in the event since Michelle Brown at the 1964 Games in Tokyo.
In an interview after the tournament, McDermott expressed his gratitude to Matt Horsell, who has been his coach for 14 years.
“He was Matt’s local coach. Every time I was successful, he was successful. Every time I went overseas, he came with me,” McDermott said.
“He’s become one of the most well-known coaches today because of his humility, encouragement and passion. He still has a day job and is not a full-time coach.”
“As athletes we don’t get paid, so we fit this in around his work. We just do what we have to do. He’s the most passionate and encouraging person. I think this medal is just a drop in the bucket of what he’s really capable of. I’m very proud.”
Nicola McDermott sets new Australian record to win silver in high jump
The New South Wales jumper became the first Australian to break the 2.00m barrier at the Australian Olympic Trials in April and improved his national record to 2.01m at the Stockholm Diamond League meet last month.
The current national record stands at 2.02m but with both McDermott and Eleanor Patterson, who placed fifth in the Olympic final with 1.96m, on the ball, it’s possible the record could be broken further in the near future.
Patterson won a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games as a teenager but nearly disappeared from the sport after failing to even qualify for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
But since moving to Sydney and teaming up with coach Alex Stewart, who also trains Australia’s top men’s high jumper, Brandon Starc, she has bounced back.
McDermott’s silver medal was the third for the Australian athletics team in Tokyo.
The gold medal went to three-time world champion Maria Lasitskene of Russia.
The 28-year-old Lasitskene won gold with a jump of 2.04 metres in his belated Olympic debut after being banned by the Russian athletics federation from competing in the 2016 Rio Olympics for systematic doping.
Decathlete Ash Moloney and javelin thrower Kelsey Lee Barber both won bronze medals.
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