Alysha Newman: Canada's Pole Vault Trailblazer

Alysha Newman made history for Canada by winning the country's first-ever Olympic medal in women's pole vault. She clinched the bronze medal on a memorable Wednesday with a new Canadian record height of 4.85 meters at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Newman's victory came after a nail-biting finish at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris. The Delaware, Ont., native didn’t just win bronze; she set a record that will inspire future Canadian athletes. Her journey to this podium was marked by years of hard work and perseverance.

In her third Olympic appearance, and her first Olympic final, Newman spoke about the emotional experience of waiting for her competitors to finish before she could celebrate her historic third-place position. For her, the moment was surreal and filled with mixed emotions — excitement, awkwardness, and immense pride.

Newman finished with the same height as silver medalist Katie Moon from the USA but had one more missed attempt than her American counterpart. Australia’s Nina Kennedy claimed gold with a height of 4.90 meters. This achievement breaks a long dry spell for Canada in Olympic pole vaulting; the last medal in this event was won by William Halpenny at the 1912 Stockholm Games.

This bronze is one of the three medals Canada has bagged in athletics at Paris 2024. Newman’s triumph follows Ethan Katzberg’s gold in men’s hammer throw and Camryn Rogers’ gold in women’s hammer throw earlier in the week. Coming out of the qualifying rounds, Newman felt she could surprise everyone, and she did just that.

Injuries marked Newman's journey, but they also built her character. Missing the finals in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and the 2022 world championships could have derailed her, but she used these setbacks to fortify her resilience. Her mental strength and determination were pivotal in her comeback.

Newman attributed her successful attempts to her mindset. She recalled her father’s advice from her gymnastic days, reinforcing the idea that nerves indicate readiness. With this mindset, she went on to clear each jump by mentally prepping herself with the mantra 'Have courage.' Each jump until her miss at 4.90 meters was a testament to her mental fortitude.

Throughout this season, Newman demonstrated consistency. She overcame an ankle injury just before the world indoor championships in March but still managed to jump over 4.75 meters in three of her last four meets before the Olympics. Her coach and father’s words of wisdom guided her steps even during moments of doubt.

Newman’s achievement isn’t just a personal victory but a landmark for Canadian athletics. Her story is a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring pole vaulters and athletes in general. Despite numerous setbacks, her dedication, relentless effort, and mental strength led her to this historic moment.

Alysha Newman's journey stands as a powerful reminder that with courage and tenacity, breaking records and setting new benchmarks isn’t just a dream but an achievable reality.