Kendricks ends a 12-year drought of U.S. men's vaulters not medalling in the pole vault.
Former Ole Miss pole vaulter and Oxford, Miss. native Sam Kendricks placed third in the Olympic pole vault in Rio Monday night, breaking a 12-year medal drought for the U.S. in that event. Tim Mack and Toby Stevenson took gold and silver in the Athens Games of 2004, respectively, and Kendricks’ bronze caps off an already stellar 2016 season.
Torrential rain delayed proceedings in the pole vault final for about an hour in Rio, an especially dangerous weather situation for vaulters, who rely on a strong and steady pivot spot in the vault pit.