VOL. V, NO. 13
MAY 1, 1964
Pole Vaulter Is up in Air
What is it like to be a pole vaulter? A man with a long pole has to be strong, have good co‑ordination, speed, and perfect timing if he is to clear the height at which the bar in front of him is set.
Pole vaulting is one of the most exciting and possible the most entertaining events in a track meet. The pole vaulter has to measure off the exact number of steps that he will need to clear certain heights. Sometimes the vaulter misses his starting mark so that when he reaches the pit, he tries in all sorts of ways either not to make the jump, or to wiggle his body in order to regain his form.
If the vaulter is lucky, he sails over the bar and lands in the pit with a thud. If the vaulter doesn't clear the bar, the bar goes flying into the air, and everyone around the pit runs for cover. The vaulter, in the mean time knowing he has knocked the bar off, tries to cover himself with his hands or manipulate himself into a position so that he won't be banged on the noggin.
Pole vaulting is one of the most exciting and possible the most entertaining events in a track meet. The pole vaulter has to measure off the exact number of steps that he will need to clear certain heights. Sometimes the vaulter misses his starting mark so that when he reaches the pit, he tries in all sorts of ways either not to make the jump, or to wiggle his body in order to regain his form.
If the vaulter is lucky, he sails over the bar and lands in the pit with a thud. If the vaulter doesn't clear the bar, the bar goes flying into the air, and everyone around the pit runs for cover. The vaulter, in the mean time knowing he has knocked the bar off, tries to cover himself with his hands or manipulate himself into a position so that he won't be banged on the noggin.
In the past three or four years, a new type of pole has entered into the pole vaulting scene: a fiber glass pole. Formerly a vaulter would have to exploit all the strength he could possibly muster to clear 12 or 13 feet. Today, with the use of this new‑fangled pole, a vaulter runs as fast as he can and pulls on the pole. When the pole is almost bent in two, it shoots the vaulter over the bar, as a sling shot would shoot a stone, enabling the pole vaulter to clear 15 and 16 feet with what appears to be the greatest ease.
Traveling with the pole is also something that presents a problem. If the vaulter is riding on a bus, everyone ducks so he won't be struck in the head or body by this long spear.
Traveling with the pole is also something that presents a problem. If the vaulter is riding on a bus, everyone ducks so he won't be struck in the head or body by this long spear.