Jana Pittman qualifies, 2006

Jana Pittman qualifies for the final of the 400-metre hurdle at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, as seen in this Nine Network news clip.

Australian hurdlers Jana Pittman and Tamsyn Lewis had a very public feud after the Australian athletics trials for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. When the Australian public and media mostly seemed to side with Lewis, Pittman was worried that the home crowd would turn against her. She was visibly relieved when they cheered as she lined up for the semi-final. Pittman won gold in the final proving to herself and Australia that she was our number one 400-metre women's hurdler.

This segment includes brief interviews with Pittman's coach and a representative from Athletics Australia which effectively provides context to the Pittman controversy. The precise moment when Pittman realises the crowd is on her side, and she can put aside her fears, is wonderfully captured with her spontaneous smile. But we also get a glimpse of Pittman's reluctance to talk to the media as she leaves the track. This short segment is an intriguing and well conceived vignette that captures her complex persona.