Olympic silver medallist Jessica Hull has opened up about how being a big part of the ‘glamorous side of track and field’ has been one of the pillars of her success as she moves past a controversial on-track incident last month.
The 29-year-old middle and long-distance running star is known for taking great pride in her appearance during races as she climbs the world rankings in the 800m, 1000m, 1500m and 5000m disciplines.
She has now revealed how being fastidious about how she looks has helped her excel once the starter’s gun fires.
‘There’s a lot of glamour on the track these days,’ Hull told News Corp.
‘Everyone will be familiar with [American sprint star] Sha’Carri Richardson, from the hair to the nails … the eyelashes to just even the pieces of uniform she chooses to race in.
‘There’s a lot of opportunity to lean into the glamourous side of track and field.
Paris Olympics silver medallist Jessica Hull (pictured with husband Daniel Joliffe) believes putting a lot of effort into her appearance is key to her success on the track
The 29-year-old says she dresses up like she’s ‘going out on the town for the night’ before facing her rivals in distances ranging from 800m to 5000m
Hull is pictured as she realised she’d won silver at the Paris Games in 2024
‘We are quite lucky when we run in that we can express ourselves how we like.
‘I kind of build it into my race-day routine and it helps me feel ready to go, stay excited and get out there.
‘It’s kind of like you’re going out on the town for the night, from the make-up to the hair, you feel like you’re ready to go to war.’
Hull was aiming to be the first athlete to win the 800m, 1500m and 5000m titles at last month’s Australian Athletics Championships when disaster struck during the 1500m event.
She tripped after coming into contact with Claudia Hollingsworth on the final straight, with Hollingsworth initially disqualified before being reinstated as the winner after an appeal.
Hull withdrew from the 800m event as a result but went on to win the 1500m title.
‘I set this goal in November. It means a lot to me, and in the moment you’re just kind of in shock that it gets taken away,’ she said after the 1500m victory.
Now she has given her fans another window into her mindset at the time.
The NSW south coast product missed out on making history at last month’s Australian Athletics Championships after a controversial tripping incident
Hull is now aiming to compete in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics
‘I knew my next race wasn’t until May 16th, and I didn’t want to sit with it for another month,’ Hull said.
‘I wanted to get back out there, get a move on, and focus on what’s to come for the rest of the year rather than dwell on it.’
Hull’s next challenge comes at the Commonwealth Games in July and August, but she already has her eye on starring at the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.
‘Before Brisbane was announced, I probably wouldn’t have anticipated going beyond 2028 but now we’re seeing men and women – especially in the 1500m – stay on the track a bit longer,’ she said.
‘I’m going to be 31 in LA [the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics] and Brisbane doesn’t seem as far-fetched now.’
