Molly Caudery shocked and disappointed after early Olympic exit

Molly Caudery would usually expect to clear 4.55m with ease. It is a routine height that is 37cm short of her British record. But women’s pole vault qualifying on Monday morning at the Paris Olympics she inexplicably failed to get over it three times and will not compete in the final.

The world indoor champion from earlier this year, Caudery was expected to challenge for a podium place. Even gold was a distinct possibility. Instead, she will have to watch from the sidelines and will travel home wondering how and why it all went wrong in the biggest event of the year.

“I am currently in a bit of shock,” she said. “I am so disappointed. I don’t have any excuse. I felt great and in the best shape of my life, I loved the big crowd, I didn’t feel overly nervous, I don’t have a reason right now for what just happened. This is going to take a bit of time to process.”

The 24-year-old continued: “4.55m is a bar that I jump day in, day out. There is not one piece of doubt in my mind that I wasn’t going to clear it.

“Some people might say I came in too high, but that’s certainly not mine or my coach’s opinion. When I have been jumping 4.80m and 4.90m all year round, 4.55m shouldn’t have been a problem. It is just a really unfortunate day.”

To add to the British woes in this event, Holly Bradshaw also failed to progress as she failed at 4.20m. An Olympic bronze medallist from three years ago, these are her final Games and she was hoping to go out on a better note.

“It’s not the ending I wanted but in life you don’t always get what you deserve,” Bradshaw said.

“I think I’m just a bit crushed. I have struggled all year with a niggly Achilles and my team have done an amazing job to get me pain-free. Today was the first competition or training session I have been completely pain-free.

“I think with what happens in pole vault I was on the back foot, I was on too soft a pole, had a bit of a flirty wind which with a better build-up I would brush off, but I just got caught out with a few technical and tactical decisions.”

She added: “I felt really good, its only taken 4.40-55m to make the final and I am well worth that at the minute. I’ve had an awful year and struggled to come to terms with dad passing away but I don’t think anyone ever does, but to make it here I think he would be proud. It would have been great to be better, but it is what it is and I have a better perspective, I lost my dad and other things don’t matter as much.”

Among those progressing were Nina Kennedy of Australia, European gold medallist Angelica Moser of Switzerland and Olympic champion Katie Moon of the United States.

Nick Percy and Lawrence Okoye also went out as the British discus throwers threw 61.81m and 61.17m respectively to finish 20^th and 24^th , with the qualification led by world record-holder Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania with 67.47m.

“It was just a tough day for me,” said Okoye. “I was in a boot two weeks ago so my preparation hasn’t been ideal, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. I had to fight.”

Percy said: “It’s the Olympic Games and there is a lot of pressure, you only have three attempts, it is not easy. I am really proud. The last few weeks have been a struggle emotionally. I said to my family and coach beforehand, if I walk away with a 62m throw, I have done very well. With 61.81m, you are basically there.

“In the last round, it is very rare that you can say you have nearly 70,000 clapping for you. It is a real emotional thing. I am taking it all in, I don’t want this to end. It is such a special day, so there is no disappointment.”

Amber Anning qualified in the women’s 400m with a heat win in 49.68 ahead of Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands.

Laviai Nielsen also went through with 50.36 as  runner-up behind Nickisha Pryce of Jamaica in her heat but fellow Brit Victoria Ohuruogu goes into the repechage round after clocking 50.93.

Karsten Warholm led the 400m hurdles qualifiers with 47.57 as British champion Alastair Chalmers also progressed with 48.98 for third in his race.

Fellow British 400m hurdler Jessie Knight also progressed with 55.10 in her repechage race.

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