It’s been a rapid rise for the 24-year-old from Doncaster East, whose extraordinary journey to international athletics continues.
Her breakthrough came in 2023, when she shattered records and soared to prominence on the Australian team.
“In 2023 I improved my PB (personal best) by almost 10 metres, broke the Australian record, won National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships, and competed at my first major event in Budapest, the 2023 World Championships,” said Ratcliffe.
“It was a great year overall for me.”
But her Olympic preparation wasn’t straightforward. In December, just months before Paris, she was sidelined with a serious injury.
“I found out I had a stress fracture in my back. I had to take three months off basically everything. I wasn’t able to take my first full throw until April,” recalled Ratcliffe.
Determined to reach the Games, she utilised support from both sides of the globe.
“I had the VIS support team here, my physios, doctors, everyone working remotely, and my support team at the University of Georgia," she said.
"I was fortunate to have both my teams working together, overcoming the challenges of being in opposite time zones. It worked and we did everything possible to make that Olympic team.”
Mindset plays a crucial role for any athlete working through injury, but with an Olympic Games approaching with the opportunity to debut, mental resilience becomes even more essential.
"I feel like I never let myself think that I wasn't going to make it. Even from when I got injured, I thought 'no, this will just give me more of a challenge, but I'm still going to get there,'" she said.
"I just kept telling myself that all the way through, faking it until you make it I guess."
And she did.
On Olympic debut in Paris, Ratcliffe finished 15th in the world.
"Being in Paris was a dream. Competing in that stadium with that atmosphere was incredible. The fans were so loud and excited, plus I had my family and friends in the crowd."
Despite still managing injuries, Ratcliffe delivered another successful US season.
“I won NCAA’s this year and was awarded the Women's Outdoor National Scholar Athlete of the Year” she said proudly.
Ratcliffe graduated with her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Georgia, marking the completion of her third degree.
Returning to Melbourne, she is now focused on the next chapter of her career: 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
“This year I want to make the final in Tokyo. Anything can happen on the day. If you get through qualifications, then it only takes one throw [to podium],"
"I'll be taking that mindset into the stadium and see what I can do.”
For athletes like Ratcliffe, the support from the VIS plays a pivotal role in injury rehabilitation and prevention, working with athletes to reach the global stage.
Providing performance support from physiotherapy and strength and conditioning, to sports medicine and Performance lifestyle advice, athletes receive holistic support to empower them to succeed in sport and life.
2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships
Watch Stephanie Ratcliffe at the upcoming 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
Her qualification round is Sunday at 10:00am AEST, and the finals are Monday at 10:00pm AEST, live on SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand.
Photo credit: Light Knife
