While there are no athletes directly from St. Thomas-Elgin going to the Paris Olympics, there are five from London and one from Delaware representing Canada.
30-year-old pole vaulter Alysha Newman from Delaware was actually a gymnast first, but was forced to abandon that sport at the age of 13 following a lower back injury.
After a year off sports where she considered hockey and diving, she chose track and field, and was directed by a coach to vaulting due to her gymnastics background.
Newman has won several medals in international sporting events, but never at the Olympics…and she’s attended them twice.
If she rises to the occasion, she could challenge for the podium.
The Women’s Pole Vault Qualifications took place Monday morning, with Newman going through with a height of 4.55.
The finals have been slated for 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
Written by: L. Dickson/K. Freeman
