Aussie bronze medal winner breaks down as he reveals the VERY emotional reason he watched a TV commercial on repeat to psych himself up at the Paris Olympics
- Matthew Denny won a bronze medal in the discus final
- Aussie, 28, grew up in Allora, a small town in Queensland
- Plans to participate in the Olympic Games in LA (2028) and Brisbane (2032)
Olympic bronze medallist Matthew Denny told how a TV advert inspired him when he took a podium finish in Paris.
The 28-year-old Australian discus thrower Denny threw 69.31 meters in the final, finishing behind Jamaican Roge Stona (70.00 meters) and Lithuanian Mykolas Alekna (69.97 meters).
Speaking to Channel Nine, the Queenslander said he was delighted with his top three finish and said he would never forget where he came from.
Denny grew up in Allora, a small rural Queensland town 60km south of Toowoomba. He has long been a beloved figure with locals, a bond captured in a Qantas advert that was widely played during the Paris Olympics.
‘Before I entered this competition, I went back and watched the [Qantas Olympic] ad … I wanted to see the people [of Allora]“That’s what I do it for,” he said with tears in his eyes.
“Their support has always been there and that means a lot to me. I’m super excited to leave here with a medal.”
“I’m just trying to take it all in.”
Denny said that, in front of 80,000 fans at the Stade de France, he felt a sense of calm when he saw himself again in Allora.
Australian Olympian Matthew Denny has revealed how a TV advert he starred in inspired him to a podium finish in Paris
Denny grew up in Allora, a small country town 60km outside Toowoomba in Queensland. He and other locals starred in a Qantas advert (pictured) that motivated him to excel in France.
Denny also confirmed that he will be running for the 2028 Los Angeles Games – and then for the Brisbane Olympics on home soil four years later
‘At home there are three trees and a hut,’ he said. ‘That’s all I see.
‘I just wanted to see the box and shoot it because it’s 85 yards away… it would have been fun if I had shot it.
“When I throw Allora, it’s a different throw for me. It’s freedom for me.”
Denny also confirmed that he is committed to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and then the Brisbane Olympics on home soil four years later.
There is still so much there [in terms of improvement],’ he said.
But no regrets [with bronze]….it’s part of history, that was the best men’s Olympic discus final ever.
“It has set a new standard for what is possible…and we [team] gave it one of the best cracks you’ll ever see.’