By Athletics New ZealandEliza McCartneys meteoric swift and spectacular rise in status in the pole vault reached new heights with a bronze medal at the Rio Olympic Games. London Olympic Games gold medallist Jennifer Suhr of America failed at 4.70m and world champion in Beijing last year Yarisley Silva of Cuba also couldnt clear 4.70m. The twice New Zealand champion has had a 35m improvement in two years which she puts down to receiving expert coaching. There were some anxious moments for McCartney as Boyd came in for her third attempt at 4.85m which if she had cleared would have snatched away the bronze medal. While the pole vault was in progress the final of the womens 5000m was being run where Nikki Hamblin finished 17th in 16:14.24.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 20, 2016 07:30 UTC