Australian athlete hailed for the best sporting interview ever after bronze medal in Paris

An Australian race walker was hailed for her inspiring interview after winning two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Australian race walker Jemima Montag achieved remarkable success at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games winning bronze medals in both the women’s individual and mixed team events.

Montag made history by becoming the first Australian woman in 52 years to win two medals in track and field’s athletics category at the same Olympics.

But it was not just her on-track success that captured the world's attention; it was also her deeply inspiring post-race interview that has been widely regarded as one of the best in modern times.

Reflecting on her performance and the pressure she felt leading up to the event, Montag shared some heartfelt thoughts that resonated with many.

"I had a lot of belief, I had a good feeling this last week. I felt significantly more pressure this year because in Tokyo there were no spectators. Today there were about 30 family in Team Gem t-shirts yelling my name and you want to do well for them because you know how excited they'll be. You want to show gratitude for the 15-year journey this has taken since Little Athletics but it's a careful balance of wanting that medal but not needing it," she noted.

Montag’s words struck a chord with many as she delved into the delicate balance between wanting success and not letting it define one’s self-worth.

She eloquently expressed the difference between the two highlighting the importance of maintaining perspective in the pursuit of greatness.

"It's really a nuanced difference. So not needing it for your own self-worth or feeling, yeah, that people love you, but wanting it, saying, yeah, I'm willing to give this a crack and be tough. And if it doesn't happen, the sun will rise tomorrow, but let's give it a go," she added.

When asked about the impact her success might have on young girls back in Australia, Montag delivered a powerful message that underscored her commitment to inspiring the next generation.

"Play on is my message. I want them to know that this journey isn't without its challenges. Particularly around the age of 16 and 17, I certainly questioned my place on the sporting field and whether I wanted to take it to this Olympic level. But the message is it doesn't matter if you're doing sport for fun in your backyard with your girlfriends or whether you want to take it to this Olympic medalist level.

"Sport is about community and a sense of belonging, making friends, looking after our physical and mental health, learning amazing life skills like dedication and leadership which are all such great things for the next generation of women and girls so play on in your own way whatever suits you and yeah we belong here," she concluded.

Balancing her rigorous training for Paris 2024 with her full-time medical studies, Montag has also been an active member of the IOC Young Leaders 2021-24 cohort.

This program has supported her in launching “Play On,” an initiative that equips adolescent girls in Australia with the knowledge and skills they need to stay engaged in sport and recreation.

The initiative combines her passions for health, physical activity, and gender equality.

In addition to her Olympic success, Montag is a two-time gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games and a silver medalist at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.

She was named Australia’s Outstanding Jewish Junior Sportswoman of the Year in 2013 at age 15, and her achievements in Paris have solidified her status as one of Australia’s most inspiring athletes.

Montag is also one of at least three Jewish Australians to medal in Paris alongside canoeist sisters Jessica and Noemie Fox.