Heartbroken Aussie athletics star Michelle Jenneke is left shattered by the death of the ‘amazing man’ in her life

Australian hurdler Michelle Jenneke has paid tribute to her mentor after legendary Australian athletics coach Gary Bourne passed away this week.

Bourne, 68, was the former chairman of Queensland Athletics and is a Life Member of Athletics Australia.

Australia’s most successful horizontal jump coach, Bourne was the mastermind behind Olympic medalist Mitchell Watt and Bronwyn Thompson’s Australian records, world championship gold and Carlee Beattie’s world record, and he also guided Henry Frayne to Commonwealth silver, among many other achievements.

Jenneke was one of many athletes to benefit from Bourne’s guidance, posting a touching tribute to her “amazing husband” on Instagram.

‘Rest in peace Gerrit. “I am incredibly lucky to have had this amazing man as my coach and mentor,” she wrote.

“More than just a great coach, he was wise, funny, kind and caring, and we will all miss him dearly. Thanks for everything Gaz.’

Jenneke described Bourne as “an amazing man,” who was both a good friend and one of her coaches

Thanks to Bourne, Jenneke is back on the world stage where she reached the semi-finals at the World Cup this year

Athletics Australia president Jane Flemming said the entire athletics community in Australia would be affected by the loss of Bourne.

“The passing of Gary Bourne is a tremendous loss to Australian athletics,” Flemming said.

‘In the athletics world, Gary was considered a jumping guru.

‘He was head coach of the National Jump Center at the QAS, but was more than a coach. He was also a mentor, educator and guiding light who led countless athletes to rise to the highest levels of the Olympic, world and Commonwealth rankings.

“His dedication, selflessness, unwavering passion and dedication transformed athletes into champions and nurtured individuals to become outstanding human beings.

“Gary’s legacy will forever resonate in the hearts of the Queensland and Australian athletics community, reminding us that the greatness of a coach is not just in breaking records, but in touching and inspiring lives.

“He leaves a void in Australian athletics that will be difficult to fill, but his influence will continue to inspire generations in the run-up to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”

Jenneke became a household name in 2012 for her pre-race ‘wobble’ routine

Jenneke struggled with injury at the 2016 Olympics, but made a huge comeback at the 2022 World Athletics Championships

Jenneke has struggled to lose her reputation for pre-race dancing but is now in top form

Jenneke, known for her viral pre-race dance at the 2012 World Junior Championships, faced challenges after the 2016 Rio Games.

In Rio she finished sixth in her 100m hurdles heat, and her campaign ended abruptly. Australian athletics coach Craig Hilliard criticized her form and suggested distractions may have contributed to her performance.

“It’s something I have to discuss with her and go through with her, with her program. She certainly did not arrive here in the shape she should have arrived in,” Hilliard said in 2016.

But Jenneke fired back, saying it was an injury and not poor preparation that cost her in Rio.

“I came to camp in great shape for the Olympics and I happened to get an injury while I was there,” she said.

‘I didn’t ride well at the Olympics, but that had nothing to do with me not being good.

“Craig’s comments were unfair, especially from someone who knew exactly what the situation really was.”

In 2017, Jenneke competed in her second World Championships, reaching the semi-finals and finishing seventh with a time of 13.250. At the 2018 Commonwealth Games she represented Australia and took fourth place with a time of 13.07.

Covid lockdowns put Jenneke’s career on hold until she recently burst out of the blocks with her fastest times ever

Now Jenneke hopes to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris and reach an elusive final in the hurdles

After a hiatus partly forced by Covid shutdowns, Jenneke made a comeback in 2022, impressively advancing to the semi-finals at the World Championships with her fastest time in seven years, clocking 12.84 in the heats and even faster, 12.66, in the semi-finals. finals.

In 2023, she secured a place at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where she was named one of four captains to lead Australia.

She reached the championships by winning the 100m hurdles event at the 2023 Chemist Warehouse Australian Track and Field Championships in Brisbane with a blistering time of 12.77, beating Celeste Mucci and Hannah Jones.

Jenneke advanced to the semi-finals in Budapest together with compatriot Celeste Mucci. She finished fifth in that heat, not fast enough to reach the final.

She is now determined to make her way into the Australian Olympic team for Paris 2024.