To our local Olympians: Take a bow!

August 16, 2024 BY AAP

Kathryn Mitchell's final javelin throw and Yual Reath's high jump debut mark Ballarat's Olympic pride. Photos: SIMON STACPOOLE/AAP IMAGE

BALLARAT javelin-thrower Kathryn Mitchell has called time on the Olympics, reaching the javelin final in all four campaigns.

Mitchell was emotional, bringing down the curtain on her Games career finishing seventh with her top throw a season-best at 62.63.

Flying high: Yual Reath in the men’s high jump qualification at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Photos: DEAN LEWINS/AAP IMAGE

The 42-year-old was competing in just her second meet after rupturing her calf in April.

“I did the best I could do with what I’ve done so I have to walk away satisfied and happy with that,” Mitchell said.

She bowed to the crowd before departing although said while it was her last Olympics, she hadn’t made a call on retirement.

“It’s not a goodbye right now. But it’s certainly the end of my place in Olympic history.”

Kathryn Mitchell during the women’s javelin throw final at the Paris Summer Olympic Games in Stade de France. Photo: HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA/LEHTIKUVA/SIPA USA

Highjumper Yual Reath did not advance from the qualifying round on Wednesday 7 August, but did Ballarat proud at his first Olympics. He received a huge amount of support from the city’s athletics community, with hundreds of people packing the North Ballarat Sports Club to watch the telecast of his jumps in Paris.

-WITH EDWINA WILLIAMS