Jenny Blundell

In her 21st consecutive year in the sport, Jenny Blundell showed her versatility in her second Olympic appearance, after she had graduated from the 1500m in Rio to the 5000m in Tokyo.

Jenny Blundell’s journey in athletics started in under-6s in Little Athletics. “I feel in some way athletics chose me. From such a small age I had talent and the will to compete. I have always loved it,” recalled Blundell.

She was an outstanding little athlete at Cherrybrook, regularly breaking state records.

At 15, she won the national under-20 800m title and secured selection for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010, where she placed fifth in the 800m and fourth in the medley relay. The next year she made the semi-finals at the World Youth (U18) Championships. She started to progress up the distance ladder and in 2012 it was selection in the 1500m for the World Juniors (U20) Championships. Showing her versatility, upon her return she won the national junior cross country title. 

Over the next few years she transitioned into seniors and was now a 4:12 1500m athlete. In 2016, with the Rio Olympics approaching, she destroyed her PB with times of 4:09, then 4:04.62 to secure Olympic selection. At the Games she was impressive, progressing to the semi-finals.

She had a strong season in 2017, including a European tour, but was followed by injury and she just missed Gold Coast Commonwealth Games selection placing fourth in the trials. For the next two years she rarely raced.

Blundell described it as one of the most challenging periods of her life.

“Getting injuries and navigating the transition from university into the workforce. But it's been a good challenge and has made me the tough athlete I am today.”

Her return in early 2020 was in a new event, the 5000m where she surprised the athletics community with a brilliant 15:22.14 in the national championship, a 32 second PB in the event. 

Next COVID shut down the year and in her next season, the summer of 2020/21, there were glimpses of brilliance. After a 4:07.71 1500m at Zatopek, three performances stood out, the national 5000m title in March and two solo runs 8:56.17 (3000m) and 15:10.27 (5000m). These results secured selection for her second Olympic team.

In Tokyo, the Rio Olympic 1500m semi-finalist, again performed well on the world stage, clocking 15:11.27 in her 5000m heat to place 11th.

During 2022 and 2023 Jenny only raced on a few occasions, but she was back in top form in 2024. Fifth at the Nationals, in June she won the Oceania Championships and then two weeks later in Europe clocked 14:59.84 to become just the seventh Australian to break the 15-minute barrier.