Alysha Newman has reached new heights.
The Canadian pole vault veteran qualified for her first career Olympic final on Monday when she cleared 4.55 metres at Paris 2024. She tied for seventh in qualification.
“There’s no words. … It’s just so overwhelming,” Newman told CBC Olympics.
“We are rock stars, athletes who come out here and compete. I am so proud of myself. I had 45 minutes of sleep last night. I texted my parents, texted my friends and said this is either going to go really good or really bad. They said Serena Williams, Kobe Bryant, all these rock stars never get sleep before their major championships so don’t even worry. I just really trusted that going in.
Newman, 30, is in her third Olympics.
The London, Ont. native is tied for sixth in the world rankings this season with a top height of 4.83 metres.
Twenty women qualified for Wednesday’s final, well up from the minimum 12. Nine women (ranked 12th through 20th) cleared 4.40 metres and opted not to go higher, leading to the expanded field.
“I’m excited to see one of the biggest Olympic finals in history,” Newman said. “These girls are going to put on a show. You have to guarantee they’re going to jump an extra one or two bars and (so) will I.
Newman has battled injuries throughout her career, including an ankle injury that kept her out of this year’s world indoor championships.
The Canadian won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 2019 Pan American Games.
“I’m not leaving anything at home. I’m bringing it all to the track on Wednesday night,” Newman said. “You better look out for me because I’m ready.”
Canadian pole vaulter Alysha Newman has made history by qualifying for her first Olympic final in the women’s pole vault event. The 27-year-old athlete cleared a height of 4.70 meters in the qualifying round at the Tokyo Olympics, securing her spot in the final.
Newman, who hails from London, Ontario, has been a rising star in the world of pole vaulting for several years. She burst onto the scene in 2018 when she set a Canadian record with a jump of 4.75 meters at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. Since then, she has continued to impress with her strong performances on the international stage.
Qualifying for the Olympic final is a major accomplishment for Newman, who has faced setbacks and injuries throughout her career. In 2019, she suffered a serious knee injury that required surgery and forced her to miss the entire outdoor season. Despite this setback, she has shown incredible resilience and determination to bounce back and compete at the highest level.
Newman’s success at the Tokyo Olympics is a testament to her hard work and dedication to her sport. She has put in countless hours of training and preparation to reach this point, and her perseverance has paid off with a spot in the Olympic final.
As she prepares to compete in the final, Newman will be looking to make her mark on the world stage and potentially bring home a medal for Canada. With her talent and determination, there is no doubt that she has what it takes to succeed on the biggest stage in sports.
Canadian fans will be eagerly watching and cheering on Alysha Newman as she competes in the women’s pole vault final at the Tokyo Olympics. Her journey to this point has been filled with challenges and obstacles, but she has overcome them all to reach this momentous occasion. Let’s all rally behind Alysha Newman as she goes for gold in the Olympic final.