Sunday 24th October 2021
Today Dani Stevens announced her retirement from athletics after 25 years as a registered athlete. Incredibly 19 of those years were on the International stage starting with the 2003 World Youth Championships. Dani wasn't selected in this her first Australian team for discus throw; instead she had to put the shot and subsequently didn't make the final. This disappointment was the inspiration she and coach Denis Knowles needed and in 2004 she proved to the World the selectors had made a mistake. At the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Championships Dani defeated the South African athlete who had won Bronze at World Youth the year before by not only winning Gold in Discus, but also Gold in the Shot Put. Then a few weeks later defeated the athlete from China who had won the gold medal. It was the beginning of a career that is unsurpassed by any female Discus thrower in the history of World Athletics. As an open athlete she has won World Championships, Commonwealth Games (2 times), World University Games and minor medals at Commonwealth Games, World Championships and World University Games. Her total number of International Championships podium placings is 11. She is one of only 9 athletes (including Usain Bolt) who have won the trifecta (World Youth, World Juniors and World Championships).
Dani said today from the Gold Coast, where she currently resides with husband Dr. Joe Stevens, she had almost achieved all of her goals in the sport. She didn't refer to a missing goal, however we can assume it would probably be the Olympics. Dani competed at 4 Olympic Games 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020(1). 2016 in Rio was the one that got away when Dani put out the silver medal throw which landed just centimetres out of the sector and finished in 4th place. However that was forgotten by all when in the following year she won Silver at the World Championships with her 69.64 metre throw. It became a National Record, an Oceania record, and a Commonwealth record. In fact in the 21st Century only 3 females in the World have thrown further than Dani. As some renowned coaches would recognise, if you put a line through those above Dani in the All-time world listings whom have received a sanction for drug abuse, Dani would most likely be at the top as the greatest (clean) female discus thrower ever.
I spoke to Dani from the Gold Coast on the phone today. She said she "was thinking about all the positive things my career has brought to my life". She said she wasn't thinking so much about her achievements, however more so about the people she has met, the places she has been and the experiences that have enriched her as a person. Dani has jet-setted across the World in a career that is unsurpassed by any Australian by its success and tenure. She has been one of the greatest ambassadors to athletics this country has ever seen, culminating in her selection as captain of the 2020 Australian Olympic team. She was melancholy about her retirment, but also happy. She said "it was the right time to retire". She said "at the age of 33 the work required to stay at my peak was becoming more and more difficult". She said "it wasn't the performances that were important, but I don't want to be in a position where I can't give my absolute best". Dani was probably referring to the recent neck operation that was debilitating and had affected her 2020 Olympic campaign. In my opinion the fact that she was capable of qualifying for the 2020 Olympics after the operation was in itself a an heroic effort.
It goes without saying that Dani is one of the greatest athletes this country has ever seen. She won a total of 34 Australian Titles in Junior and Open Competition. She won the Australian Open title in discus 14 times starting in 2005 at the very young age of 16, and what many are unaware of, won the Australian Open Shot Put title at the age of 15.
Her lifetime coach Denis Knowles said today that Dani has always been a perfectionist striving to achieve the best she possibly could. He said she would never settle for less than her absolute best. Denis added that even though Dani was respected and loved, if at times she appeared to be exclusive it was merely because she was always so focussed on what she wanted to achieve. I would also add that Dani was the most approachable athlete. She would avail herself to everyone that wanted an autograph, advice or even just a chat. Dani knew the responsibilities her position demanded and she would never turn anyone away. As an example in her 21 years as a member of Westfields Athletics Club she attended 17 Presentation Nights and the 4 she missed were because she was Interstate or Overseas.
Denis added that Dani's involvement in the sport was about more than just her successes. He said that she had touched the hearts and souls of many people across the World. Her experiences in the numerous countries she had visited and the events in which she had participated had made her a whole person. Denis said that she had learned from him and he had learned from her about much more than throwing the discus. They had experienced the best things that life has to offer. Together as a team Dani and Denis changed the way the Australian public perceived discus throwing in this country. Dani brought grace and dignity to the event.
This is not the end of a career as much as it is the beginning of a new one. Denis has hinted that Dani won't leave athletics behind and may become involved in other areas of athletics and continue to impart and share her knowledge and experience to others.
On behalf of the athletes and friends of Westfields; thank you Dani for your generosity, thank you for your friendship and most of all thank you for being you.
Dan Suchy, Westfields.
You can view Dani's 25 year history in the sport by checking-out her profile in the Athlete Profiles section of this website.