2017 IAAF World ChampionshipsAug 7, 2017 by Johanna Gretschel
Sandi Morris Earns Pole Vault World Silver Vs. Ekateríni Stefanídi
Sandi Morris Earns Pole Vault World Silver Vs. Ekateríni Stefanídi
Sandi Morris earns her second straight global championship silver medal in the pole vault.
Much like last year's Olympic final, the IAAF World Championships women's pole vault final concerned mainly two competitors: Ekateríni Stefanídi of Greece and Sandi Morris of the United States. The former set a new national record and world-leading mark of 4.91m to win gold over the American, who jumped a competition-best mark of 4.75m to secure silver in London.
Reigning Olympic champion Stefanídi did not enter competition until 4.65m, at which point only six other athletes remained in contention, including Morris. Once the bar moved to 4.75m, only Stefanídi and Morris were able to clear the height and Robeilys Peinado of Venezuela and Yarisley Silva of Cuba were named co-bronze medalists.
At 4.82m, Stefanídi successfully cleared the bar on her first attempt while Morris missed. Rather than try another attempt, she instead took two attempts at the next height, 4.89m, both of which she missed. The silver medal would be hers -- Morris' first medal at the IAAF World Championships after placing fourth in 2015.
The gold medal then secured, Stefanídi went for 4.91m and made her first attempt to improve her national record from 4.90m. She made three attempts at 5.02m, none of which were successful. Stefanídi's winning mark ties for No. 4 on the all-time list with Silva of Cuba, who set her mark in winning the world title in 2015.
Morris still ranks just above Stefanídi on the all-time list at No. 3, with her best of 5.00m set last year.
The 25-year-old American said to USATF after the event that she moved her standards after her first attempt at 4.89m and probably needed to use a bigger pole.
"I almost had that 4.89 bar on my second attempt, and then I moved the standards," Morris said. "It was just one of those times where I didn't have the standards in the right spot or the right pole in my hand. My last attempt I went out, I needed a bigger pole in my hand. That's just the pole vault. You can be doing everything right on your technique, but if you don't have the right pole in your hand or the standards set right, it's gonna be a miss. I'm not angry with myself. I'm going to use this other silver medal to continue to motivate me to even greater heights. It's probably the loudest crowd I've ever heard."
Reigning Olympic champion Stefanídi did not enter competition until 4.65m, at which point only six other athletes remained in contention, including Morris. Once the bar moved to 4.75m, only Stefanídi and Morris were able to clear the height and Robeilys Peinado of Venezuela and Yarisley Silva of Cuba were named co-bronze medalists.
At 4.82m, Stefanídi successfully cleared the bar on her first attempt while Morris missed. Rather than try another attempt, she instead took two attempts at the next height, 4.89m, both of which she missed. The silver medal would be hers -- Morris' first medal at the IAAF World Championships after placing fourth in 2015.
I'm so blessed to bring home another medal for my country Yeah, I wish it was but I know my day will come. Patience.Thank u everyone
— Sandi Morris (@sandicheekspv) August 6, 2017
The gold medal then secured, Stefanídi went for 4.91m and made her first attempt to improve her national record from 4.90m. She made three attempts at 5.02m, none of which were successful. Stefanídi's winning mark ties for No. 4 on the all-time list with Silva of Cuba, who set her mark in winning the world title in 2015.
Morris still ranks just above Stefanídi on the all-time list at No. 3, with her best of 5.00m set last year.
The 25-year-old American said to USATF after the event that she moved her standards after her first attempt at 4.89m and probably needed to use a bigger pole.
Sandi Morris @sandicheekspv with her silver medal from the pole vault (AFP) pic.twitter.com/SsCb8nZTzZ
— Joe Fleming (@ByJoeFleming) August 7, 2017
"I almost had that 4.89 bar on my second attempt, and then I moved the standards," Morris said. "It was just one of those times where I didn't have the standards in the right spot or the right pole in my hand. My last attempt I went out, I needed a bigger pole in my hand. That's just the pole vault. You can be doing everything right on your technique, but if you don't have the right pole in your hand or the standards set right, it's gonna be a miss. I'm not angry with myself. I'm going to use this other silver medal to continue to motivate me to even greater heights. It's probably the loudest crowd I've ever heard."
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