Australian pole vaulter Eleanor Patterson says she did not perform at her best in the Commonwealth Games final.
Patterson won gold in the high jump at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon at the end of July and she admitted that such a big win just before the Commonwealth Games may have had an impact.
Eleanor Patterson.Credit:AP
But she congratulated Jamaica’s Lamara Dist on winning gold and said she would come back stronger in the remaining events this year and, hopefully, in the Diamond League finals.
“It’s bittersweet. I didn’t perform,” Patterson told Channel Seven.
“Lamara was the best athlete that day. I’m impressed with him and I’m proud of him, but I’m quite frustrated with myself because I didn’t come here today and perform like I usually do.”
Patterson said she didn’t know what had driven her so badly in Birmingham.
“I had a little ankle pain, but no excuses. I was struggling to get my rhythm, I wasn’t fired up enough. I don’t know, it’s just frustrating. I wasn’t doing my best,” Patterson told Channel Seven.
“There is such a thing, but I set myself to a very high standard and I have to be able to perform and I don’t take my hat off to Lamara for going gold.
“I am a human. It’s a frustrating day for me. I’m angry with my performance.”
