Ekaterini Stefanidi made a championship record win in the pole vault, highlighting day four of the European Championships in Amsterdam yesterday.
The Greek vaulter handled the swirling winds in Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium, claiming gold by clearing first time at each height up to 4.70m.
The 2014 silver medalist then had the bar set to 4.81m- she failed her first two attempts after struggling with the crosswind, and though she left the bar rattling with her third effort, it stayed put.
“I am ecstatic,” the 26-year-old said. “With 4.70m I was pretty sure I had won the title, but I also wanted the championship record.”
Stefanidi was born in Athens but lives and trains in the US. She is one Greece’s best contenders for an Olympic medal next month in Rio de Janeiro.
