Olympic and World Championship gold medallist Nina Kennedy braved the rain and the conditions to make some young athletes’ day at Bacchus Marsh.
Kennedy attended the Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics Centre on Saturday morning to help inspire the next generation of athletics.
Speaking before the event, Kennedy, who won gold at the 2024 Olympics in the pole vault, said it was pretty special to come out to centres like Bacchus Marsh.
“It’s really exciting,” she said. “Some might not know who I am while others find out who I am and are quite impressed.
“Kids are so funny these days. Some are like “can I get an autograph?”
Kennedy started her athletics journey at little athletics as a young kid and it was at a little athletics meet where she was first identified to get into pole vault.
She never dreamed she would end up where she is now.
“I’m 28 now,” she said. “I never dreamed that I would have this career when I started out in little aths.
Kennedy was able to attend the centre through the Coles’ Little Athletics Community Round.
An ambassador for Coles, Kennedy said it was important to help inspire the next generation of athletes.
“It is huge that a big company like Coles will provide money and resources into centres,” she said.
“It’s not the most popular spot in Australia. Having a visual presence that you can start here and get to the Olympics is big.
“They didn’t have athletes out come out to centres when I was growing up. Kids seeing champions like us is good.”
