Son of steelworkers wins cycling bronze at Paris Olympics
13 August 2024
The Whyalla Steelworks produces plenty of iron and steel and it can now add bronze to that list.
We’re talking the highest quality sporting bronze as cyclist Leigh Hoffman, son of Whyalla Steelworks employees Kristen King (inventory controller) and recently retired Rene Hoffman (steelworks operator for 43 years), took third place at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the Men’s Team Sprint. The Aussie team of Hoffman, Matthew Glaetzer and Matthew Richardson snared third place with a win over host nation France by 0.396 seconds.
I’d like to thank everyone from Whyalla for supporting me, the messages that I’ve got (from Whyalla) throughout this week has been amazing
Olympian Leigh Hoffman
Hoffman then backed it up in the 200m sprint with an Australia record time of 9.242 to quality fourth in this event before missing out in the 1/8 finals.
Hoffman’s Australian record was immediately beaten by Richardson, with a scorching world record of 9.091, as the team spirit of the Aussies shone through.
The family was only able to score a couple of tickets to events in Paris with Kristen and Leigh’s brother Lucas flying to France while dad Rene watched from home in Whyalla. Returning to Whyalla this week, Kristen said she was still on cloud nine.
“I’m so happy for him,” Kristen said.
“Not just the team medal, the chance to ride in the individual event was just amazing, he did a huge job in the 200m, it was just sensational.
“It is such a good thing for him, our family, Whyalla and the community.”
While much of the focus on this team was on veteran Glaetzer, who overcame a recent battle with thyroid cancer and has been hampered by injuries, he was keen to credit fellow South Australian Hoffman and West Australian Richardson for the podium finish.
Leigh is arguably the world’s fastest team sprint starter, and a vital cog of the Australian Cycling Team’s sprint unit.
“I’m super proud of them,” Glaetzer said. “They’re such talents and they deserve this so much.”
“They’ve improved so much over the past four years, they’ve pushed me along, I’m the old dog of the squad and I couldn’t have done this without them.”
Not just the team medal, the chance to ride in the individual event was just amazing, he did a huge job in the 200m, it was just sensational
Kristen King
Leigh had his own special message for the people of Whyalla in a video he shared with the City of Whyalla Facebook site.
“I’d like to thank everyone from Whyalla for supporting me, the messages that I’ve got (from Whyalla) throughout this week has been amazing,” Leigh said in the video from Paris.
“From when I was young the support has been amazing, I can’t thank everyone enough and I’ll cherish this bronze for the rest of my life.”
Watch Leigh’s video (right) on the Whyalla City Council Facebook page.
You can view highlights and full replays of all Leigh’s races in the 9Now app (cycling track channel, men’s sprint). You can also read the Australian Cycling summary of the night here: https://bit.ly/4fEk06
Main image: Leigh Hoffman in Paris with his brother Lucas and mum Kristen. Above right: Leigh Hoffman (middle) with teammates Matthew Glaetzer and Matthew Richardson.
Read more about Leigh Hoffman’s career
