Hull’s courage – and class – earns prized accolade

In a year that redefined Australian athletics, middle distance star Jessica Hull’s record-breaking 1500m run at the Paris Diamond League has earned her the Bruce McAvaney Award for Performance of the Year as part of the 2024 Athletics Australia Awards.

Hull, a NSW Institute of Sport athlete, re-wrote the record books in Paris, less than one month before the Olympic Games, running an extraordinary 3:50.83 in the 1500m – smashing her own Australian record by more than five seconds and becoming the fifth-fastest woman in history over the distance.

Racing alongside Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, who set a new world record in the same race, Hull’s performance was a display of courage and mastery, which helped her go on to achieve the world record in the 2000m and win Australia’s first Olympic middle distance medal since 1968.

Legendary sports broadcaster and friend of the sport, Bruce McAvaney who makes the sole decision on the award each year, spoke about the significance of Hull’s achievement amongst a long list of inspiring moments by the country’s track and field talent.

“I’ve never seen a longer list of possibilities for this award. From the very beginning of the year when Torrie Lewis broke the 100m record and Nicola Olyslagers cleared 2.03m, the tone was set early. What followed was a remarkable series of performances, seemingly getting more impressive as the year went on,” McAvaney said.

“In the end, it came down to Jessica Hull, Nina Kennedy, Gout Gout and of course, James Turner and Vanessa Low.  With Jess it was even more complicated because she had three extraordinary performances herself.

“But her race in Paris stood out. It was the way she ran, the courage she showed. To break an Australian record by more than five seconds, running 3:50.83 — that’s a result that, for most of us, was almost unthinkable. Jess’s (first) Paris performance elevated her to greatness and left an indelible mark on what was already one of the most extraordinary years in Australian athletics history.”

Reflecting on the race, Hull said:

“That performance was a culmination of everything we had worked for. We’d been visualising the race when I was training in St. Moritz, and I made the choice to go with Faith (Kipyegon), knowing it would take me to a place I’d never been before.

“To be recognised for that effort means so much, especially in a year filled with so many amazing performances.”

The 2024 Athletics Australia Awards also highlighted the exceptional achievements of athletes, coaches and officials, with seven Olympic and Paralympic medallists and Australian record holders taking honours.

Along with the Performance of the Year, Hull was named Female Able-Bodied Athlete of the Year alongside Nina Kennedy, who soared to become the first Australian woman to win pole vault gold at the Olympic Games, while Vanessa Low claimed the honours for a fourth time after leaping to a new world record of 5.45m in the Long Jump T61 at the Paralympic Games.

Two Paris medallists were honoured as the Male Athletes of the Year, with Matthew Denny receiving the Able Bodied award for the second consecutive year after breaking the Australian record twice and capping his year with Olympic bronze, while James Turner reclaimed the honour having won two Paralympic titles in the 100m and 400m T36, with a world record to match in the longer distance event.

The year was bookended by two teenagers breaking long-standing Australian Open sprint records, with Torrie Lewis’ 100m feat earning her Female Junior Athlete of the Year, while global sensation Gout Gout took the Junior Male Athlete of the Year award including for his 20.04 effort at the Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Athletics Championships.

Kennedy and Olympic finalist Kurtis Marschall’s coach Paul Burgess was recognised as Coach of the Year, while Gout’s long time coach Diane Sheppard was named Pathways Coach of the Year.

Queensland National Technical Official Helen Roberts was awarded Official of the Year, as one of four Australian officials to be appointed for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Athletics Australia CEO Simon Hollingsworth reflected on the significance of the year:

“Last year was a truly remarkable year for Australian athletics. From starting the year with Torrie Lewis’ 100m record to Jessica Hull’s record breaking runs and Nina Kennedy’s Olympic gold medal, not to mention the world records at the Paralympics by James Turner and Vanessa Low, before ending the year with Gout Gout’s ascent – the year really did set a new benchmark.

“These awards celebrate not only those achievements but the bright future of our sport as we build towards Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”

The Athletics Australia Awards spotlight the very best of the sport at the elite level, showcasing athletes, coaches and officials whose dedication inspires the nation and sets the stage for the next chapter in Australian athletics.

2024 Athletics Australia Award winners:

Bruce McAvaney Award for Performance of the Year
Jessica Hull – Australian 1500m record at Paris Diamond League,

Marjorie Jackson Award for Female Able Bodied Athlete of the Year (Joint Winners):
Jessica Hull and Nina Kennedy

Amy Winters Award for Female Para Athlete of the Year:
Vanessa Low

John Landy Award for Male Able Bodied Athlete of the Year:
Matthew Denny

Russell Short Award for Male Para Athlete of the Year: James Turner

Junior Female Athlete of the Year: Torrie Lewis

Junior Male Athlete of the Year: Gout Gout

Coach of the Year: Paul Burgess

Pathways Coach of the Year: Diane Sheppard

Official of the Year: Helen Roberts

Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia