Pole vault

EJ Obiena: The Near-Miss Hero of Paris 2024!

Despite a near-victory, EJ Obiena's passion for pole vaulting remains unshaken. Discover the thrills and heartbreaks from Paris 2024!

As the sun rose over the iconic landmarks of Paris, the excitement for the 2024 Olympics reached a fever pitch. Among the stars competing in the men’s pole vault finals was EJ Obiena, a Filipino athlete with hopes high and determination burning brighter than ever. But unfortunately for Obiena, even with a world ranking of No. 2, his quest for Olympic glory hit a snag. Although he gave it all he had, he narrowly finished fourth—just missing the podium by a hair. The height he needed to clear, 5.95 meters, proved to be a mountain too tall this time around.

The night belonged to Armand “Mondo” Duplantis of Sweden, who demonstrated why he’s a pole vaulting legend. Not only did he secure his second gold medal, but he also set a new world record by clearing an astounding 6.25 meters—marking his ninth time breaking his own record! The roar of the crowd resonated through the stadium, echoing the awe and excitement of witnessing one of the greatest in pole vaulting history. Duplantis, a phenomenon in his sport, has now stamped his name into Olympic history as the first male athlete to win back-to-back gold medals in pole vaulting since Bob Richards did it in the 1950s.

For Obiena, who was preparing to become the first Filipino pole vaulter to medal since Miguel White’s bronze finish in 1936, the result was heart-wrenching. His journey to Paris was paved with hard work and determination, and while his dreams of standing atop an Olympic podium momentarily slipped through his fingers, his performance has undoubtedly inspired a new generation of Filipino athletes. The pride he brings to his country, along with his world-class skill, reflects a spirit of resilience and an unwavering commitment to the sport.

Even though Obiena didn't snag that elusive medal, this experience isn't the end—it's just the beginning. With his career still ahead of him, there’s no doubt that he will continue to soar. Did you know that the pole vault has its origins dating back to ancient Greece? Athletes relied on poles to vault themselves over rivers! And here's a fun fact: Mondo Duplantis was a childhood phenomenon, breaking multiple age-group records before his teens, showing that sometimes, champions are born to fly well before they command the world's grandest stages.