Greek Pole Vaulters Leap Into European Championship Finals

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Greece secured a double qualification in the women’s pole vault at the European Championships, with Katerina Stefanidi and Ariadni Adamopoulou both advancing to Thursday evening’s final at Alexander Stadium.

As at the Paris Olympics, the two Greek vaulters once again made it through to the final of a major championship together.

Stefanidi delivered a composed performance in her seventh European Championship appearance. The two-time European champion and three-time silver medallist entered Birmingham with a season’s best of 4.48 metres and cleared 4.25m and 4.40m comfortably before clearing 4.50m.

The clearance came at exactly the right time, improving her season’s best and confirming that the 36-year-old remains a serious contender for another major championship medal.

Stefanidi arrived in Birmingham with her young son, George, as well as her husband and coach, Mitch Creer. Thursday’s final will mark her seventh European Championship final in seven appearances at the competition.

Adamopoulou also produced an impressive qualification performance despite a shaky start. She needed a second attempt to clear 4.10m, but quickly found her rhythm and cleared both 4.25m and 4.40m at the first attempt.

Her coach, Vasilis Megaloikonomou, arrived in Birmingham from Eugene less than 24 hours before the qualifying competition. His arrival provided an extra boost as Adamopoulou progressed through the event.

She produced promising attempts at 4.50m but failed to clear the bar. Nevertheless, her earlier jumps secured her place in the final as the 11th qualifier.

Both Greek athletes will now return to Alexander Stadium on Thursday evening with a place among Europe’s best pole vaulters and another opportunity to add to Greece’s medal hopes.

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