Alysha Newman has reached new heights.
The Canadian pole vault veteran qualified for her first career Olympic final on Monday when she cleared 4.55 metres at Paris 2024. She tied for seventh in qualification.
"There's no words. ... It's just so overwhelming," Newman told CBC Olympics.
"We are rock stars, athletes who come out here and compete. I am so proud of myself. I had 45 minutes of sleep last night. I texted my parents, texted my friends and said this is either going to go really good or really bad. They said Serena Williams, Kobe Bryant, all these rock stars never get sleep before their major championships so don't even worry. I just really trusted that going in.
Newman, 30, is in her third Olympics.
The London, Ont. native is tied for sixth in the world rankings this season with a top height of 4.83 metres.
Twenty women qualified for Wednesday's final, well up from the minimum 12. Nine women (ranked 12th through 20th) cleared 4.40 metres and opted not to go higher, leading to the expanded field.
"I'm excited to see one of the biggest Olympic finals in history," Newman said. "These girls are going to put on a show. You have to guarantee they're going to jump an extra one or two bars and (so) will I.
Newman has battled injuries throughout her career, including an ankle injury that kept her out of this year's world indoor championships.
The Canadian won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 2019 Pan American Games.
"I'm not leaving anything at home. I'm bringing it all to the track on Wednesday night," Newman said. "You better look out for me because I'm ready."
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