Pole Vault: An Event With History

Hey everybody, it’s me Sarbi! I am here to teach you about the Pole Vault!

Though Pole jumping competitions, which were similar to today’s Pole Vault, were hosted by the ancient Greeks and Celts. They event has been recognized by the IOC since 1896 for men and 2000 for women, while the IAAF Confirmed the first records in 1912 and 1992 respectively.

In the beginning the poles were made from very stiff materials including bamboo and aluminum. These poles did not provide the ‘spring’ needed to clear new heights. This led to the introduction of more flexible poles made from fiberglass and carbon fiber. Physically the athletes need not only long legs and arms, but they must also be quick, flexible, and powerful; all of these are for not if the athlete does not have the technical skill required for the event.

It may be surprising to most people that there are no regulations regarding pole length or diameter, just that the athlete’s pole must be available for all athletes in the competition to use. Generally athletes carry a 4.5m long pole with a diameter of 3.5cm. Despite what you might think, a longer pole is not always best. For example Sergey Bubka used a 6m pole to take his World Records, but other athletes using the same pole failed in their attempts.

The Korean Pole Vaulters are expected to do well at the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011 due to their training regiment which focuses on uniting the mind, body, and pole. Men’s hopeful, Yoo-Suk KIM took the silver medal at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games with a respectable 5.30m tying Leonid Andreev (UZB). Eun-Ji LIM (NR 4.35) and Yun-Hee CHOI are also showing promise after their performances in both National and International Competitions.

Pole Vault History Summary

Men’s
3.30 Welles Hoyt (USA) 10 April 1896 – 1^st Modern Olympic Games
4.02 Marc Wright (USA) 8 June 1912 – First IAAF Recognized WR
6.14 Sergey Bubka (UKR) 31 July 1994 – Current IAAF WR

Women’s
4.60 Stacy Dragila (USA) 25 September 2000 – First Women’s Pole Vault Summer Olympic Event
5.06 Elena Isinbayeva (RUS) 28 August 2009 – Current IAAF WR
4.05 Sun Caiyun (CHN) 21 May 1992 – First IAAF Recognized WR