Geraldton visit: Peter Bol staying humble after nation-stopping race

About 2.6 million people tuned in to watch Peter Bol run the 800m final at the Toyko Olympics, with the Perth product winning over the hearts and minds of Australian viewers in a gusty fourth-placed finish.

But apart from being dressed head to toe in sponsored Adidas gear, you wouldn’t guess Bol is a world-renowned athletics champion by his happy-go-lucky and humble approach.

Talking exclusively to the Guardian during a three-day trip to Geraldton, Bol said he’s trying to take the new found fame in his stride and stay true to the values that saw him break the national 800m record in Tokyo.

Taking time out of his busy training schedule, the two-time Olympian visited Rangeway Primary School on Friday afternoon to shoot hoops with some very excited kids and part a few words of wisdom on life.

“The most important thing for me is being a better person before being an athlete to be honest,” he said.

“Athletics runs out, but as a person you remain.

“There are a lot of injuries and challenges, but the bigger picture is to enjoy it and have fun and stay healthy.”

Bol said he loved seeing the smiling faces on his young fans.

“I remember when I was a kid at school and what this kind of stuff meant to me,” he said.

“We came to let them know they aren’t alone in a sense.”

Rangeway Primary acting principal Jade Fallon said the superstar’s visit ended up being a surprise after only being organised the night before.

“There was a lot of excitement when we told the kids,” she said.

“It was fantastic to hear such a positive message from Peter about not only winning but what happens if you don’t win and having a balanced lifestyle.”

The three day trip to Geraldton is the second time Bol has visited the Mid West, saying he enjoyed the laid-back approach.

“The people are so friendly – everyone is smiling and happy,” he said.

“There’s no traffic either. You’re just cruising, it’s a good lifestyle.”

Joking he might move to Geraldton one day, Bol said he and his team were planning on another trip to the port city early next year.

The first Australian since 1968 gold medallist Ralph Doubell to reach the 800m Olympic final, Bol said he was preparing for a big 2022 with the World Athletics Championships in Oregon on July 15 and the Queensland Commonwealth Games on July 28.

“It’s going as smoothly as I would want it to at the moment,” he said.

“I’ve already qualified for both so it gives me more time to prepare.”