Newman Reaches New Heights by Athletics Canada View All NewsAre you surprised Alysha Newman won an Olympic medal Wednesday night? Two days ago, Newman herself said “They always say there’s always an upset and there’s a surprise, and I’m feeling like I could be the surprise.”Newman knew. I’m so, so happy I lived up to that expectation,” Newman said. Now she’s the Paris 2024 women’s pole vault bronze medallist – Canada’s first Olympic pole vault medallist since 1908 and Canada’s first ever Olympic women’s pole vault medallist. Both the men’s and women’s 4×100 metre relay teams are in action Thursday, looking to move on their respective finals.