Maccabi Goes Wild for Jemima Montag’s Epic Race Walk in Paris!

On Thursday evening, the Maccabi Athletics Club hosted a packed cinema of Maccabi members to watch Jemima Montag, 26, take on the 20km women’s race walk live in Paris (held at the Trocadero). The Classic Cinema was filled with supporters donning green and gold, ready to watch the race walking Aussie hero and Maccabi Victoria Hall of Famer take centre stage. Her glittering CV includes a silver medal from Budapest 2023, where she set the Australian Record of 1:27:16, a fourth place at the 2022 World Championships, sixth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and two Commonwealth Games gold medals in 2018 and 2022.

The race walking competition was expected to be fierce. Montag was up against the finest race walkers in the world, including the reigning world champion from Spain, María Pérez García. The pressure was on—if Montag medalled, she would become Australia’s second medallist in the women’s 20km race walk, following Jane Saville’s bronze medal in 2004. Adding to the tension, there were no second chances on the roads of Paris, as Montag’s race was contested as a straight final.

Despite the high level of competition, Montag’s performance was exceptional. She battled gruelling conditions in the heart of Paris to deliver another decoration for Team Australia, achieving a stunning bronze performance with a time of 1:26:25. China’s Jiayu Yang secured gold clocking a 1:25:54, and Spain’s María Pérez García took silver with 1:26:19.

This was undoubtedly a courageous performance. The heat was intense, the course consisted of tough conditions; cobblestones and a dogleg, and the crowd noise was overwhelming. Different competitors were making various strategic moves throughout the race. At the 10km mark, Jiayu Yang, the world record holder and former world champion from China, made her move, creating a half-minute gap from the leading pack. Montag didn’t follow her. Three-quarters of the way in, Montag appeared to be losing ground.

“It was almost like, which one is the winning move? I was back in fifth at about 15km and really questioned my desire for a minute. But I could hear my sister, who had almost lost her voice at that point. Just saying, ‘This is yours’ … her voice was cracking.”

Montag will receive her medal today (Friday), but was given a soft toy of Paris 2024’s mascot in its place after the race.

Montag’s family was present throughout her hour-and-a-half effort, witnessing her every step as she broke her own national record.

Throughout the race, Ray Montag was seen pacing up and down the boulevard. Nine News commentators joked that the proud father had covered as much ground as his daughter by the time she finished.

Always thinking about the future generation and how she can be a role model, Jemima also gave this poignant quote before her race: “The first women to compete in an Olympics were in 1900 in Paris, and it has taken until 2024 to have gender parity with equal numbers of men and women competing. It feels monumental to be a part of this Olympics, and I think I’ve become a role model to girls too.”

Huge congratulations to Jemima on your remarkable achievement! Your perseverance and dedication have not only earned you a well-deserved bronze medal but have also inspired countless individuals. You are undeniably a role model to girls and the broader community. Your journey, marked by resilience and strength, demonstrates the true spirit of athleticism and determination. We celebrate your success and the powerful example you set for future generations.

It must be noted that although the cinema back in Melbourne was packed, a few very important people were missing (but for a good cause)! Maccabi Athletics President Len Bogatin and his wife, Yvette Shaw, are currently volunteering at the Paris Olympics. Yvette worked at the opening ceremony and will volunteer at the closing ceremony. She has also been providing volunteer athlete support. Len is working with the track and field equipment team. Harry Procel and David Grace (former presidents of Maccabi Australia, Athletics Australia and Maccabi Victoria Athletics Club, and life members of all three) also joined ‘Team Jemima’ in Paris. Their absence at the Watch Party was felt, but their in-person support for Jemima in Paris was truly special, and we are thrilled that Jemima had some Maccabi spirit on the ground.

As we celebrate Jemima’s achievements and look forward to more successes, the evening will be remembered as a moment of unity and pride for the Maccabi Victoria Athletics family.

A special thanks to Classic Cinema for generously providing the space for this event.