The third Games were the right ones for Alysha Newman.
Bronze medalist in the pole vault, the 30-year-old Ontarian became the first Canadian woman in history to reach the podium in this discipline on Wednesday.
Seventeenth in Rio in 2016 and eliminated in qualifying in Tokyo in 2021, Newman approached this Parisian final with authority, easily achieving a first jump of 4.40 m.
She needed two attempts to clear 4.60m, but only one when the bar had been raised to 4.70m and 4.80m. At the latter height, she grazed the bar, which vibrated without falling.
Newman then found herself among five competitors to tackle the 4.85m bar, a challenge she completed on her second attempt, setting a new Canadian record. She screamed with joy the moment she cleared the bar, as she fell toward the protective mat.
PHOTO KAI PFAFFENBACH, REUTERS
Alysha Newman
Her medal was confirmed when Switzerland’s Angelica Moser failed her only attempt at 4.90m – she had missed twice at 4.85m. The Canadian could not clear the bar at 4.90m, but the bronze was already hers.
Australia’s Nina Kennedy and America’s Katie Moon, the reigning co-world champions, took the top two places.
It’s been a tough few years for Alysha Newman, who has dealt with recurring symptoms related to a concussion suffered in 2020. However, she has found success again this season, notably reaching a personal best of 4.83m, which she beat in Paris. Hence the elation she displayed when she cleared 4.85m.
The last Canadian pole vault medal was in 1912 – the bronze won by William Halpenny.
Canada’s surprising success in athletics continued at this year’s Games. Newman’s third-place finish added to Ethan Katzberg and Camryn Rogers’ double gold in the hammer throw.