Bol returns to Elite Mile track that offered ‘stepping stone’ for Olympic career

Veteran Olympic runner Peter Bol completed a triumphant return to Leonora at the weekend and claimed his second title during the Elite Male Mile — an event which helped launch his athletic career nine years earlier.

Bol completed three laps of the Tower Street circuit in an impressive 4min. 6.43sec. to edge out Adam Goddard (4:6.80) and Matthew Ramsden (4:7.33) in a thrilling finish to this year’s $65,000 Leonora Golden Gift program.

The 31-year-old arrived in the northern Goldfields town with the fastest 800m time in Australian history, 1:43.79 set in Perth in April.

A veteran of three Olympics (2016, 2021, 2024), Bol won his semifinal at the Paris Games in 2021 before running a close fourth in the final — missing out on a bronze medal by 0.53sec.

In 2016, he became the first WA runner to claim victory in the lucrative Elite Male Mile at 22 years old.

On Sunday, he described his first Leonora Golden Gift victory as a vital “stepping stone” to his Olympic career.

“Nine years ago, this was my stepping stone to my first Olympic Games and I really needed that funding,” he told the Kalgoorlie Miner.

“It was through Leonora that I was able to get the funding and go chase my dreams at the Olympic Games in Europe.

“It’s great to come back after nine years and then win again.”

Resurfacing of the Tower Street circuit was completed last week, for which Bol said he was “grateful”.

“I noticed it straight away,” he said.

“It made it pretty quick, I think that was one of the fastest miles on this course.

“That’s not because we’re fitter, but because of the surface here and the weather that kind of played to our advantage.”

After his victory, Bol engaged with spectators and invited children to join him on a cool-down lap of the circuit.

The star athlete was then reunited with a runner he once coached during a visit to Leonora more than a decade ago.

“Over 10 years ago I used to come out here and do clinics,” Bol said.

“One of the (spectators) . . . came up to me and said ‘I met you about 10 years ago’, and I was like, that’s pretty incredible that he remembered.

“He introduced me to his family, and we got photos together.

“I love the community over here. I do believe everyone deserves a chance.”

The Sudanese-born runner said he hoped to inspire the next generation.

“If you just kind of keep going and chasing your dreams, you’ll get there,” he said.

“I come from Thornlie, and even back then I came from Sudan and Egypt.

“I’ve been able to make my life over here and (become) a three-time Olympian, Young Australian of the Year, so many accomplishments.

“That’s all credit to the community, it’s really important and we’ve got that here.”

The Olympian said he hoped to return to the Goldfields town next year to engage with the community further.

“We’ll have a chat, probably to the Shire of Leonora, to come out here a few days earlier and (engage) with the community, rather than just coming to run and go,” he said.

Elite Mile winners pocketed $7500 in prize money and a one-ounce gold coin valued at more than $5000.