This is my greatest fear actualized and the reason why I don’t pole vault. It totally has nothing to do with the fact that I’m uncoordinated, nonathletic and flat out lazy. Watch as a a Russian pole vaulter’s pole snaps in half mid-jump today at the IAAF World Championships in South Korea.
Dmitry Starodubtsev, was attempting a 5.75 meters (19 ft) jump when his pole snapped in half mid-jump. While no serious injury was sustained, Starodubtsev did hurt his hand and had to withdraw from the competition.
Luckily his hand was the only thing he hurt.