Morris will return to the city with fond memories having wowed crowds at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham in March. The 26-year-old set a new championship record en-route to winning world gold in a thrilling women’s pole vault competition.
The US pole vaulter has so often been the bridesmaid, having finished runner-up in the previous three global finals, including the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and last year’s outdoor World Championships in London. But, in Birmingham, Morris rose to the occasion, claiming her first global title.
Morris did so in some style, breaking her compatriot’s Jenn Suhr’s championship record with a 4.95m clearance. Still wanting more, Morris had three attempts at 5.04m, two centimetres higher than Suhr’s world indoor record, but all three attempts were unsuccessful.
The world and Olympic silver medallist certainly puts on a show for the spectators and Morris has continued to soar to new heights, producing a world-leading mark of 4.95m at the Liberty Bridge Jump Off meeting at the end of June.
Never shy of taking on a challenge, Morris went on to attempt what would have been a world record height of 5.07m. Morris’ three attempts at 5.07m were solid, particularly her final effort, but she ended the competition more than happy about setting the second highest clearance of her career.
Not only is Morris the current world leader, she also tops the Diamond League standings, with victories in Doha and Oslo helping the US athlete accumulate an eight-point lead in the overall standings.
Morris always relishes the opportunity to compete in the UK and the US pole vaulter will no doubt be eager to deliver once again in front of the British crowd.
See the biggest stars at the Müller Grand Prix Birmingham on Saturday 18 August; for tickets visit: <link https: www.britishathletics.org.uk events-and-tickets muller-grand-prix-birmingham>
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