Commonwealth silver to follow world gold for Eleanor

DAY 9 of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham didn’t go all Australia’s way.

Not only did Australian sprint star, Rohan Browning, trip over in the heats of the 4 x 100 metres relay but Leongatha’s favourite to back up her World Championship Gold in the Women’s High Jump, Eleanor Patterson had to settle for silver.

But that’s sport.

And the winner of the Gold Medal at Birmingham, Jamaican Lamara Distin, is no slouch.

Before the competition started, Distin had an impressive personal and season’s best of 1.97m and she jumped almost right up to that mark by clearing 1.95m at her first attempt, putting her in line for the gold even if Eleanor had cleared 1.95m with a later attempt.

But it wasn’t to be with Eleanor winning the silver on the strength of her second-time clearance at 1.92m, on a countback from another Jamaican Kimberly Williamson who took bronze.

It’s been a massive couple of weeks for Eleanor; on top of the world one week in Eugene, Oregon USA and disappointed not to be able to reproduce her best 17 days later at Birmingham, England.

“No excuses,” said Eleanor afterwards, but clearly the whirlwind weeks after the world’s could easily have taken its toll especially in a sport of millimetres.

"I always give my all but it just wasn't to be, I had an off day.

“I am just really frustrated and disappointed,” said Patterson.

“I didn’t really show what I can do at all.

“I was not jumping how I can and how I usually do and so it is just really frustrating.”

Patterson acknowledged there may have been a letdown from the incredible high of world championships gold.

“I have just got to go to the whiteboard and think about it all and take it in, but maybe a little bit,” she said.

“Maybe I need to adjust to that expectation and title that is attached to my name.

“I honestly think there are no excuses at the end of the day.

“No matter what, I am world champion but who cares, I have still got to come out and perform every time.”

Patterson will now turn her attention to the remainder of the Diamond League season.

See Eleanor's final attempt at 1.95m: https://twitter.com/i/status/1555868342497443840