Olympics: Men's Pole Vault - Make your predictions!

[Tumbleweed]

Brad Walker all the way. USA Wins Gold!

[joebro391]

I've pondered this for over a month and I'm still not sure. A very great outline by STORM above...

1) Walker: I think at times this season, he's preferred to blow through a pole completely before going up rating but I also think he knows that the Olympics is the end-game and there's no going back. He gets on his big-boy poles early on and he'll be the first Olympic vaulter over 6m for sure

2) Bjorn: He's just so consistent and great under pressure. I think he can bring the heat for a 5.90 and get the silver

3) Hooker: If he can't take it up, he has no purpose in life (in his head) and therefore he has no choice but to plant and take up some jumps. After he clears the first big bar though...maybe he'll be satisfied and start running through again

Wildcard) Holzdeppe: he's been looking great this season and if the weather is DECENT, expect another 5.80-jump

Lavillenie: Sad to say but I think he's toast. I think he peaked too early for Euro's and he's done for the season. He's been making some great technical progress though so I expect many 6m jumps next year and surely a return to the podium in Rio.

Mohr: I just don't think he's a pressure-jumper. He needs a relaxed atmosphere and only jumps big bars after he's already won the meet at lower heights

Lazaro: With only two meets under his belt this season and only a 5.42 clear (5.52?) I just don't think he's ready to POP. Before his silver-performance at Worlds he popped a 5.72 and he hasn't come close since indoor. We'll see, he's been posting a bunch of pictures on facebook since arriving in London so he's getting excited. We'll see what he does.

Lewis: He has home crowd advantage, and is probably used to the weather (though I know he's been training indoors this year), but I think he needs another year under his belt before he's a consistent 5.80-jumper. Not even sure if his usual 5.60 will make finals soooo...yea

Miles: He kinda has that Obi-Wan-edge over the younger guys but I just don't think he has a 5.90-vault in him right now

Grande: Hasn't been a good year for him with the injuries and what-not. I do like what Bell has been doing with him (he doesn't just run and hold on anymore and is certainly more active off the ground than recent years) but I think with the injuries, it might not be his year

-6P

[RPVA03]

My guess would be:

1st - Lavillenie
2nd - Walker
3rd - Otto

The weather seems like it could be the main factor. If that is the case, my predictions could be way off and it will go to the person who will handle the conditions the best. In that case I think it will be Otto that wins gold. Lavillenie and Walker have a history of choking at the big meets, and if the weather is bad, they may choke.

[rainbowgirl28]

Lazaro: With only two meets under his belt this season and only a 5.42 clear (5.52?) I just don't think he's ready to POP. Before his silver-performance at Worlds he popped a 5.72 and he hasn't come close since indoor. We'll see, he's been posting a bunch of pictures on facebook since arriving in London so he's getting excited. We'll see what he does.

He's had 7 outdoor meets this season and his best marks are 60, 60, 52, 50. He went 72 and 70 indoors though. His teammate really stepped up to the plate yesterday, and he performed extremely well under pressure last year, so I wouldn't count him out.

[VaultMarq26]

Otto
Lav
Walker

[joebro391]

He's had 7 outdoor meets this season and his best marks are 60, 60, 52, 50. He went 72 and 70 indoors though. His teammate really stepped up to the plate yesterday, and he performed extremely well under pressure last year, so I wouldn't count him out.

For real?! Man, i'm out of the loop! Then I don't know! haha Maybe he's ready to bust the big one {shrugs} He's my...second wildcard -6P

[canag]

Ok, so here is my bet:

1 Lavillenie 597
2 Walker 590
3 Holzdeppe 590

Not sure what the bar progression is, but OR will be necessary for the win, except if rainy conditions.

[dj]

hey

my prediction will be the one that can keep their "MID" close.(as opposed to "out" from their best) much the way Jenn did in the womens

Lavillenie
Hooker
Walker

dj

[NSUpv]

Medal contenders:

HOOKER Steven (..maybe)
LEWIS Steven
OTTO Bjorn
HOLZDEPPE Raphael (bronze)
LAVILLENIE Renaud (gold)
WALKER Brad (silver)


Dark Horses:

MOHR Malte
LUKYANENKO Evgeniy
MESNIL Romain
STARODUBTSEV Dmitry

'Take a Miracle':

FILIPPIDIS Konstadinos
MICHALSKI Lukasz
BYCHKOV Igor
KUDLICKA Jan


I'm so ready to see this now, then Lobsterfest on Duval street... USA

[Barber]

Hooker is a wild card.
If he's there to play and stays relaxed and focused, he could blow the competition out of the water.
Barber

[Barber]

Could be the two Germans take it.