Nina Kennedy, Australia’s pole vaulting sensation and 2024 Olympic gold medalist, recently shared a funny story about a passenger confusing her profession during a flight. Kennedy, who clinched the gold medal in Paris by clearing 4.90m on her first attempt, recounted the moment on the Mental As Anyone podcast with Jonathan Moran.
“I’m glad you got pole vaulting right,” Kennedy laughed. “I was on a plane recently, and someone asked, ‘You went to the Olympics for pole dancing?’ I just shrugged and said, ‘Yeah, whatever.'”
While Kennedy jokingly entertained the mix-up, she admitted that pole dancing is “pretty cool” but doesn’t think it will make its way into the Olympic Games anytime soon.
Kennedy’s gold medal in Paris was a career-defining achievement. It was her first Olympic medal and her fifth major senior gold. Her victory was especially sweet after a disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where an injury held her back and she cleared just 4.40m—well below her capabilities.
In Paris, Kennedy jumped 4.90m on her first attempt, securing the top spot on the podium. American Katie Moon took silver with a 4.85m jump on her second attempt, and Canada’s Alysha Newman earned bronze, matching Moon’s height. Kennedy’s win in Paris was a well-earned redemption after Tokyo and proved her resilience and determination.
As Australia’s first Olympic pole vault gold medalist, Kennedy’s triumph has solidified her place among the world’s top athletes. Her lighthearted anecdote about the flight adds a fun and relatable twist to her already impressive journey.
