Explained: The strange detail in Nina Kennedy’s golden pole vault run at the Paris Olympics

Nina Kennedy is officially an Olympic champion – and the pole vault star’s attention to detail didn’t go unnoticed by scores of fans glued to their TV screens back home in Australia.

Kennedy, 27, snared gold after soaring to 4.90 metres in Paris ahead of American Katie Moon and Canada’s Alysha Newman – but many supporters were puzzled why the Aussie had jet-black hands while in competition mode.

The answer is simple – pole vaulters use a variety of methods to improve their grip, with black cloth friction tape one of the most common.

Many then add either lighter fluid, chalk or adhesive spray on top of the tape to further improve their grip.

‘I’m here, I’m a gold medallist, that is so sick,’ an elated Kennedy told Channel Nine.

‘I felt really calm. I came in with a job to do… I told myself to get to work. ‘Do your job’ and this [medal] is the result.’

Kennedy’s impressive win at the Stade de France was also a personal tale of redemption.

In what she described as ‘the rock bottom of my career’, Kennedy was deflated after finishing 12th at the Tokyo Games three years ago.

Kennedy, 27, snared gold after soaring to 4.90 metres in Paris – but many supporters were puzzled why the Aussie had jet black hands (pictured) while in competition mode

Pole vaulters like Nina Kennedy often use a variety of methods to improve their grip – with black cloth friction tape one of the most common

Injuries to her groin, hamstring, calf and quadriceps sidetracked her preparation for the Olympics – and she was also recovering from two broken bones in her back.

‘I really had to go places I didn’t think I would have to,’ she said, reflecting on her journey.

‘I had to learn a lot about myself, the way I think, my past and I had to focus on me as a person….focusing on Nina the human has really brought out the best in me as an athlete.’

On what was a staggering day 12 of action, Australia have now won 18 gold medals at the Paris Games.

Sailor Matt Wearn, skateboarder Keegan Palmer, Australia’s four-strong team pursuit track cycling team all saluted before Kennedy’s win on Wednesday.

It pushed Australia’s gold medal total from 14 to 18 in barely six hours, their tally now clear of the 17 achieved in Athens (2004) and Tokyo (2021).

Two bronze, to walk relay team Jemima Montag and Rhydian Cowley, along with history-making discus thrower Matt Denny, meant Australia has never had a better day at the Games.