Channel 7’s Unfiltered: How family and fans helped Peter Bol rediscover best ahead of Commonwealth Games
Peter Bol is arguably in the best shape of his career heading into the Commonwealth Games as he revealed what helped him rebound from the lowest point in his life.
Peter Bol is arguably in the best shape of his career heading into the Commonwealth Games as he revealed what helped him rebound from the lowest point in his life.
The Australian runner burst onto the scene in Tokyo, where he took a surprise fourth in the 800m Olympic race, making him a household name across the country.
A silver followed in Birmingham, but just as he looked to be entering his peak, a drug scandal threatened to derail his career after he was provisionally suspended for returning a positive scandal in 2023.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I rang my brother, and I told him, if it ever became public, I wanted him to tell mum because I couldn’t do it,” he said on Channel 7’s Unfiltered.
“Your fans react the way you react, and for families it’s even harder because it’s so personal, and I didn’t want them breaking down because I didn’t want to break down either
While Bol was eventually cleared with Sport Integrity Australia, he struggled on the track, failing to progress out of the heats in the World Championships and Paris Olympics.
“It changed my life in so many different ways; we could sit here and speak about it for hours and hours,” he said.
“The obvious one is my trust in the system, and then your wellbeing, and your wellbeing and performance are not two separate things; they go hand in hand.
“Then your passion and love for the sport, because you just don’t want to do it anymore, which means you’re not going to give your best and perform.”
However, the past two years have seen an incredible return to form, winning back-to-back national titles including setting a new Perth Track Classic record earlier this year.
At the World Athletics Indoor Championships, Bol made his first global final in four years and set a new Oceania record, finishing in fourth.
Bol credited his family and the support of the Australian public for helping him bounce back
“How you get through it is people. I’ve got really good people around me for management, coach and family and great support from the country, which helps ease the pain,” he said.
“I know who I am, but I didn’t have a sense it wasn’t going to work out, but I knew no matter what I would be ok.
“Winning my 5th national championship was so big for me as a sign of we’re back. Sometimes I don’t sit down enough to reflect upon it, but it’s pretty cool to see.”
Unfiltered with Peter Bol, airs 9.30pm Wednesday following The Front Bar on Seven and 7plus Sport.
