MANILA – Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena fell short of a podium finish in the men’s pole vault event of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday night (Tuesday morning in the Philippines) at the State de France in Paris, France.
The world No. 2 ranked pole vaulter settled for a fourth place finish with 5.90 meters after he failed to clear the 5.95-meter mark thrice late in the contest.
It was a heartbreaking finish for the former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers standout after also failing to bag an Olympic medal during his first participation in 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
“I came up short, I’m sorry. I apologize for it,” Obiena said in an interview with One Sports. “I promised I’m gonna go back after Tokyo and do better. I did, but I would say it didn’t change in my book.”
Obiena had an impressive start in the medal round as he successfully vaulted on the 5.50-meter, 5.70-meter, 5.85-meter, and 5.90-meter marks all in just one attempt.
The Philippine pole vault star’s only stumble early in the competition is on the 5.80-meter mark, which he eventually skipped for 5.85 meters after just one attempt.
The 6-foot-2 Obiena had good height for his first attempt at 5.95m but clipped the bar on the way down. He also just missed his second try at the same height.
With four contenders remaining, Obiena could have opted to move up to the 6.00 meters for his last jump but opted to stay at 5.95 meters, as a clearance would have guaranteed at least a bronze.
“It’s painful. I missed a medal by one jump and it wasn’t far. Disappointed, definitely,” Obiena said. “It’s the same as in Japan, I still fell short. I think this one, if not [more] painful maybe just as much.”
“I’m thankful that I got to the final, but at the same time I’m disappointed. It’s the same height and I missed it by one attempt. One attempt was an Olympic medal,” he added.
World record holder Mondo Duplantis of Sweden won the gold by soaring over Olympic-record 6.10-meter. United States’ Sam Kendricks won silver with a jump of 5.95 meters, and Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis took bronze at 5.90 meters./PN
