Olympic Pole Vaulter Ends Her Country's 112 Year Medal Drought

In Wednesday's Paris Olympic women's pole vault final, Canadian Alysha Newman secured a bronze medal finish in her first ever Olympic pole vault final. The bronze medal by Newman is the first medal won by any Canadian pole vaulter since William Halpenny took bronze in the men's competition at the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games.

Newman's finish also sets a new Canadian pole vaulting record by clearing a height of 4.85 meters. She finished at the same height as silver medalist Katie Moon, but had one more missed attempt than the American.

For Newman, the bronze finish is a monumental accomplishment in her career after the 30-year old failed to qualify for the pole vault final in both the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.

Newman's bronze is the third medal in athletics for Canada at the 2024 Paris Olympics as Ethan Katzberg won gold in the men's hammer throw on Sunday, and Camryn Rogers claimed gold in the women's hammer throw on Tuesday.

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