Australia’s Record-Breaking Pole Vaulter and Olympic Champion
Nina Kennedy is a leading Australian pole-vaulter and a trailblazer in her field. At just 27 years old, she has already achieved remarkable milestones, holding the national record with a height of 4.82 meters, which she set at the 2021 Sydney Track Classic.
Kennedy's exceptional talent and unwavering dedication have garnered her numerous accolades. In 2022, she won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham with a 4.60-metre vault, and secured bronze at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon with a jump of 4.80 metres, setting the highest Australian mark in World Championships history. Additionally, Kennedy brought home the Diamond League championship title in Zurich and finished the season with a world #2 ranking. Her stellar performances continued in 2023, where she won gold at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest with a personal best of 4.90 metres, sharing the top podium with American athlete Katie Moon.
Nina’s Olympic journey includes a notable appearance at the 2020 Tokyo Games, where she competed while injured and still achieved a 4.40-metre clearance, finishing 12th in her qualifier. However, she truly reached new heights at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where she clinched the gold medal, further solidifying her status as Australia’s premier pole vaulter.
Based in Perth, Nina Kennedy is available for Q&A sessions and panel discussions at corporate, school, sports, and charity events, and is open to travel interstate for engagements. Her dynamic story of perseverance and excellence makes her a highly engaging and inspiring speaker for a wide range of audiences.