by Larry Eder
April Steiner Bennett, Ekaterina Stefanadi, Megan Clarke, Janice Keppler, Jenn Suhr, the feature pole vaulters in the adidas GP street vault,
photo by PhotoRun.net
With a crowd somewhere between one thousand and two thousand people, the adidas Women’s pole vault exhibition at Macy’s in Herald Square was an outstanding success. Fans were all ages, and they enjoyed the athleticism of the event, thanks to the well informed announcing of Geoffrey Whiteman and the outstanding performances of the five women vaulters!
I have always said: give Americans a competition that they can sink their teeth into and you will have new track fans. The adidas Pole Vault exhibition was a case in point. Five vaulters who competed all gave the event an air of excitement with local tie ins as well as the mythical and mystical Olympic athletes.
Jenn Suhr, photo by PhotoRun.net
The competition started out well as Megan Clarke cleared 13 feet on her third attempt, much to the admiration of the crowd. Mo Greene, one of our sports most storied 100 meter runners, was throwing adidas shirts into the crowd. Those prizes were enjoyed by young and not so young in the crowd.
Jenn Suhr, photo by PhotoRun.net
Greece’s Ekaterina Stefanadi took control of the competition, with her clearance of 14-6, and continued, over 15 feet, a new personal best. Jenn Suhr, using a shorter run up and poles made for more ambitious heights, cleared 14-6, 15-0 and finally, after a jump off between Stefenadi and Suhr, on Suhr’s last attempt.
April Steiner Bennett, photo by PhotoRun.net
The winds were a factor, hitting 3.9 m/s, pretty tough to jump in, but Suhr showed the experience from silver and gold medals at the Olympics. ” The winds were tough, but I am sure glad that I cleared 15-6″ laughed Jenn Suhr.
” I am working on my PH.d. in cognitive studies at Arizona. Nick Hysong is coaching me now. I will compete in the Europeans, but with the long days in university, I will compete in 2016, but probably cut back a bit on competition in 2016 to prepare a bit. Now, after ten hours of studies, I go and workout, which is quite tough!: noted Ekaterina Stefanadi.
Jenn Suhr, enjoying the accolades of the crowd, photo by PhotoRun.net
Rick Suhr, coach of Jenn Suhr (and her husband), put together much of the competition, and the adidas GP team assembled the runway and then, quickly assembled a track for the Nestle Healthy Kids competition.
Ekaterina Stefanidi, Janice Keppler, Mo Greene, Chavanne Hanson, Wellness Champion, Nestle USA, Spencer Nel, adidas, Yohan Blake, Ato Boldon, Jenn Suhr, April Steiner Bennett, Megan Clarke,
photo by PhotoRun.net
The crowd loved the event. The vaulters ate up the crowd’s enthusiasm. And standing in the background, a smiling Chris Turner from the IAAF, a bemused Spencer Nel from adidas and a relaxed Mark Wetmore, meet director and CEO of Global Athletics & Marketing, told the story of an event well run and well received.
“This is the type of event that could bring our sport back to the forefront. Exhibitions like this could save our sport.” noted a very enthusiastic Rick Suhr.
Nestle Kid’s Hurdle, by PhotoRun.net
The next event, the Nestle Healthy Kid’s event, is a cooperative effort of Nestle, the global nutrition concern and the IAAF. ” Over the past several years, we have put this event in 65 countries and reached over six million children. The idea is this: good nutrition and fun exercise!” noted Wellness Champion for Nestle USA, Chavanne Hanson.
Nestle Kid’s Jump, photo by PhotoRun.net
“What a fantastic day!” noted IAAF’s Chris Turner, beaming from the success of the event and how much fun the young kids were having running, jumping and throwing with the help of Yohan Blake, MO Greene, Jenn Suhr and April Steiner Bennett among others.
Nestle Kids, photo by PhotoRun.net
“This is the type of event that could bring our sport back to the forefront. Exhibitions like this could save our sport.” noted a very enthusiastic Rick Suhr.
The winning Nestle Kids’ team, photo by PhotoRun.net
The combination of the pole vault exhibition, the
young kids getting to meet the elite athletes, and then, spending an hour competing in a fun competition, had the crowd excited, the kids excited and the athletes and sponsors excited. It is the kind of event that can be duplicated and should be around the world!
young kids getting to meet the elite athletes, and then, spending an hour competing in a fun competition, had the crowd excited, the kids excited and the athletes and sponsors excited. It is the kind of event that can be duplicated and should be around the world!
Nestle, the IAAF and adidas get it: to grow our sport, you have to get the kids and their parents interested. On Wednesday, June 11, a positive step was made in Herald Square at Macy’s into converting another generation of American sports fans and participants.
I share the enthusiasm. Competition, not times or heights, are key to our sport
Remember, if we put on a great competition, they will come, IF, they know about it!
