Steve Hooker OAM

Steve Hooker is one of Australia’s greatest ever athletes and the first Australian man in history to hold both the Olympic and World Championship titles concurrently.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Steve delivered one of the most iconic performances in Australian sporting history. He became the first Australian field athlete in 60 years to win Olympic gold, the first Australian male track and field gold medallist since 1968, and the first Australian athletics Olympic champion since Cathy Freeman in 2000.

With a personal best of 6.06 metres, Steve ranks as the fourth highest pole vaulter in history — a mark that secures his place among the sport’s all-time greats.

From 2008 to 2012, Steve served as Captain of the Australian Olympic Athletics Team, leading elite athletes on the world stage. His leadership was defined by discipline, accountability and composure under pressure — qualities forged through years of competing at the highest level.

Following his retirement from professional sports, Steve founded iHi Projects, applying his lifelong commitment to high performance and efficiency to improve housing outcomes for communities, families and individuals. His transition from elite sport to business reflects the same principles that drove his athletic success: strategic focus, resilience and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

As a keynote speaker, Steve shares compelling insights into leadership, mental toughness, performing under pressure and sustaining peak performance. Authentic and grounded, he translates lessons from the Olympic arena into practical strategies that help individuals and teams raise standards and achieve extraordinary results.