Aussie Olympic cult hero Michelle Jenneke in mourning after shocking family tragedy as her beloved mother dies
Aussie Olympian Michelle Jenneke has revealed that she is reeling after the death of her 'wacky and wonderful' mother Nicky.
The 31-year-old hurdler announced the sad news in an emotional Instagram post, but did not reveal the cause of death.
'Last week we said farewell to my wacky and wonderful mother,' she wrote.
'Always the life of the party, she taught me how to bring fun to every occasion and live life to its fullest.
'Forever my biggest supporter, the loudest person at the track and a warm and generous friend to all those around her.
'Thank you for all the memories, we will love and miss you always.'
Nicky was also a member of Sydney's Cherrybrook Athletics Club, which posted a tribute of its own.
'Cherrybrook Athletics is heartbroken at the death of our beloved friend and Life Member, Nicky Jenneke,' the post read.
'Nicky could usually be found at any track or field where Cherrybrook athletes were competing – from Little Athletics carnivals or local Treloar meets to major championship events interstate where her cries of 'Go Cherrybrook!' would echo around the stadium.
'Nicky came to Cherrybrook Athletics with her daughters, Shelly and Cathy, in 2002 and quickly became involved as a volunteer.
'Over her more than 20 years with the Club, she has held various committee positions but has always been a jack-of-all-trades doing whatever was needed, whenever it was needed, to ensure Cherrybrook Athletics could continue to support our athletes.
'The list of duties she has undertaken over the years is too long to summarise – she even wrote the Club's unofficial "song".'
Michelle Jenneke ruptured her hamstring tendon during her spectacular exit from the Paris Olympics last year, astonishing fans as she returned for one last heat despite the serious injury.
There were doubts about whether she could come back from the huge setback, but she put those to bed in January, when she announced she will make a comeback and posted a video showing her getting back into training.
'After rupturing my hamstring in Paris I set myself an ambitious goal to be back over hurdles before the end of year… Very happy to report I achieved that goal just in time on the 30th of December!' she told her followers.
The Aussie - who became a worldwide sensation for her dance moves behind the starting blocks while competing at the World Junior Championships in Barcelona back in 2012 - managed to go out on a high of sorts in France despite her injury.
She won plenty of admirers at the Stade de France when she was seen comforting Slovakia's Viktoria Forster after the repechage round as both athletes failed to progress.
As Australia's Olympians returned home from the Games with an astonishing 18 gold medals, Jenneke's fellow athlete Genevieve Cowie and her husband were among the crowd waiting at Sydney airport on Tuesday.
One of their signs, which read 'hope you had a nice trip', was a risky prank that earnt a cheeky reaction from the hurdler on social media.
'I have the best friends', she posted on her Instagram story, accompanied by a laughing emoji.
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