March 2018,

McCartney Finish Fourth at World Indoors

McCartney Finish Fourth at World Indoors

Eliza McCartney has finished just outside the medals in the pole vault at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, pushed out of the bronze medal position with a last-gasp effort by Greek athlete Katerina Stefanidi.

After early clearances at 4.50m and 4.60m, the Auckland 21 year old made 4.70 on her third attempt to stay alive in the completion and assure herself of a top six finish.

A first up clearance at 4.75 promoted McCartney into a medal position and as the bar was raised she sat in second place.

She was unable to  clear 4.80 with three solid attempts but three others, Morris (USA), Sidorova (ANA) and Stefanidi made 4.80 to cement themselves as the three medallists.

McCartney’s  4.75 is new indoor personal best as well as a  New Zealand and Oceania  indoor record. It is 0.05m higher than she vaulted two years ago at the Portland 2016 World Indoor Championships for fifth place.

Morris went on to clear a championship record 4.95m for the gold medal, Sidorova cleared 4.90 for silver and Stefanidi went no higher to claim the bronze medal.