Racing behind a great of the sport, Faith Kipyegon, Hull took second place in the 1500m final at the Paris Olympics.
“I thought, I just want to run for gold and if I miss, I hope I get a medal,” Jessica said.
“I’ve wanted this moment for so long and to finally realise it, it was like, oh my goodness I did it.
“I’m just really proud.”
Hull’s achievement was not the only worthy of a standing ovation on day 15 of the Olympic games. Kenyan world record holder, Faith Kipyegon, won her third consecutive 1500m Olympic title in a new Olympic record of 3:51.29.
Although Hull’s time of 3:52.56 is slower than her Australian record, she spent the race boxed in without clear track, and raced incredibly.
Georgia Bell of Great Britain claimed the bronze with a national record (3:52.61).
“We’re getting closer (to Faith) but she’s still the next level and she’s a triple Olympic champion now.
“If you’re gonna get beat by anybody, I’m more than happy for it to be her.
“I’m just excited to be part of history. And I think I might have opened the floodgates for the junior girls back home that are running the 1500.”
With 600 metres left of the race there were eight women in contention – the Ethiopians were dictacting the pace and Kipyegon was ready to take the win.
Hull was in second place behind Faith at the bell but with 200 metres left she had sunk to fourth, needing to get off the rail.
“With 200 metres to go I knew it was on. I looked up at the scoreboard and I saw there was four of us there and I was like, I’m not going home empty handed.
“Coming into the straight, I had another glimpse and there’s still four of us and I just kept running through the line.
“Even just watching Faith pull away from us. But just knowing the closer I was to her, the closer I was to a medal. It’s the best feeling.
“By the last 50 metres I knew that I was gonna get a medal, I just didn’t know what colour. And then I honestly didn’t quite realise how close Georgia was until I crossed and I kind of put my arms out and she ran straight into them.”
Making her historic medal even more special, Jessica shared the moment with her coach and father, Simon Hull. Jess is coached by her dad Simon.
“I believed I could do it and dad’s always told me, like, why not you?”
“Just to share this with dad is so special and he deserves so much credit. I do truly think he’s the best middle distance coach in the world and he deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done and the belief he has.
“He’s my dad and he believes in me. He’s been there since when I first started this sport and he taught me to love it, really. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t know if I’d still be in the sport because he made it fun.”
Thank you to Athletics Australia for providing this content.
