The men's

pole vault Pole vaulting, also known as pole jumping, is a track and field event in which an athlete uses a long and flexible pole, usually made from fiberglass or carbon fiber, as an aid to jump over a bar. Pole jumping competitions were known to the Myc ...

was one of six jumping events on the

athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics At the 1908 Summer Olympics held in London, England, 26 athletics events were contested, all for men only. A total of 79 medals (27 gold, 27 silver, 25 bronze) were awarded. Each nation was allowed to enter up to 12 competitors in most of the eve ...

programme in London. The competition was held on Friday, July 24, 1908. 15 pole vaulters from seven nations competed. It is the only one of the 111 events featured in 1908 to not have any competitors from the host nation. NOCs could enter up to 12 athletes.Official report, p. 32. The event was won by Edward Cook and

Alfred Carlton Gilbert Alfred Carlton Gilbert (February 15, 1884 – January 24, 1961) was an American inventor, athlete, magician, toy-maker and businessman. Gilbert invented the Erector Set and manufactured American Flyer Trains. Early life and education Gilber ...

of the United States, the nation's fourth consecutive victory in the men's pole vault. The tie was permitted, rather than a jump-off being held, due to the length of the competition. Similarly, bronze medals were awarded to all three men who had cleared 3.58 metres for third place. Sweden and Canada thus received their first medals in the pole vault, while the United States had the unusual distinction of winning three medals in an event but not sweeping.

Background

This was the fourth appearance of the event, which is one of 12 athletics events to have been held at every Summer Olympics. None of the vaulters from the 1904 Games returned. The world record holder, Walter Dray of the United States, did not compete "because his mother was concerned that he might be injured if he competed." The concern was not unreasonable, as the organizers did not provide anything to break the fall of vaulters.

was the top American competing, having tied for first at the IC4A meet and won the Eastern U.S. Olympic trial.

Bruno Söderström Vilhelm Bruno Söderström (28 October 1881 – 1 January 1969) was a Swedish track and field athlete. He competed at the 1906 Intercalated Games and 1908 Summer Olympics in the javelin throw, pole vault and high jump and won three medals. He als ...

of Sweden (1907 AAA champion) and Edward Archibald of Canada (British title holder) were threats to American hegemony in the event. Canada and the Netherlands each made their first appearance in the event. The United States made its fourth appearance, the only nation to have competed at every Olympic men's pole vault to that point.

Competition format

There was a single round of vaulting (though it is sometimes described as two rounds with scores carried over). Judges determined the starting point for the bar as well as any increases. This was the last Olympics in which the "climbing" technique was allowed. Vaulters received three attempts at each height.Official Report, p. 88.

Records

These were the standing world and Olympic records (in metres) prior to the 1908 Summer Olympics. ^* unofficial Both Edward Cook and

set a new Olympic record with 3.71 metres. All five of the medalists were above the old record; the two men tied for sixth were equal to the old record.

Results

All jumpers had three attempts at each height.

References

Sources

* Official Report of the Games of the IV Olympiad (1908). * De Wael, Herman. ''Herman's Full Olympians'': "Athletics 1908". Accessed 7 April 2006. Available electronically a

{{DEFAULTSORT:Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics - Men's pole vault Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics Pole vault at the Olympics