New Zealand pole vaulter Eliza McCartney set a new high for 2024 by clearing 4.84m at a meet in France, surpassing the year’s highest mark in the process.
Her vault at The Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais Trophee EDF during the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meet is a significant milestone for McCartney, signaling strong form ahead of the upcoming World Athletics Indoor Championships and the Paris Olympics.
The 27-year-old Rio Olympics bronze medallist, now training under coach Scott Simpson in the UK, managed the feat on her first attempt in a competitive field.
Despite initial challenges with her run-up and pole selection adjustments, McCartney’s performance culminated in a world-leading result, outperforming Great Britain’s Molly Caudery and others. Later, McCartney said she was surprised but satisfied with her performance, and that her preparation was good while her training was ‘heading in a positive direction.’
