Cover Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena falls short of medal podium at Paris 2024 Olympics, but surpasses his Tokyo 11th place finish(Photo: Instagram / @ernestobienapv)
Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena falls short of medal podium at Paris 2024 Olympics, but surpasses his Tokyo 11th place finish(Photo: Instagram / @ernestobienapv)
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Filipino pole vault sensation EJ Obiena delivered a strong performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, showing significant improvement from his 11th-place finish in Tokyo
EJ Obiena’s quest for a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics has ended just shy of the podium. The Filipino pole vault sensation finished outside the top three in the men’s pole vault final held at the Stade de France on August 6 (Manila time).
The World’s No. 2 pole vaulter struggled with the 5.95-metre height, failing to clear it after three attempts. His final height was 5.90 metres, falling short of the top three spots but demonstrating his continued commitment to the sport.
Read more: Get to know EJ Obiena, the Filipino pole vault sensation leaping toward Olympic victory
“I first want to say thank you to everyone who has followed, supported, and believed in me. Fourth place is painful to say the least; and in sports with three podium places, perhaps fourth is the harshest place to be,” Obiena reflects on his performance. “I am heartbroken that a single failure cost me and cost a nation I so deeply love—the podium.”
The 28-year-old pole vault star apologised following the unfortunate conclusion of his Summer Games, but Filipinos everywhere continue to rally behind him and show unwavering support.
Nonetheless, the pride of Manila's performance added a new chapter to his legacy, especially considering his 11th-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Obiena has vowed to come back stronger, determined to continue pushing the boundaries and striving for success in future competitions.
“Carlos Yulo has already made this an Olympics to remember and I salute him,” he says. “I am sorry I didn’t join him on the podium but I will be back. ‘The good get up’ as they say. I have been knocked down. But I will get back up.”
Read more: Carlos Yulo brings home the Philippines’ second gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics
The final saw Obiena competing against a formidable field, including world-record holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden, who set a new Olympic record by clearing 6.10 meters, breaking the previous record of 6.03 meters held by Brazil's Thiago Braz from the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Bronze medalist Emmanouil Karalis of Greece and EJ Obiena both cleared 5.90 meters. However, Karalis secured the bronze despite sharing the same height with Obiena, as they both failed their first attempts at 5.95 meters. Team USA's Sam Kendricks clinched silver by clearing 5.95 meters on his first attempt but couldn't surpass the 6.0-meter mark.
Read more: EJ Obiena on his aspiration to leave a lasting mark for the youth
Last year, Obiena became the first Asian pole vaulter to join the exclusive “six-metre club” after he achieved the milestone at the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway. Previous to this remarkable height, he jumped 5.94 metres at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, setting a new benchmark and elevating pole vaulting in the region. Meanwhile, Duplantis left the world astonished after setting a new personal best record and a historic Olympic record of 6.25 metres.
While a medal eluded him this time, Obiena’s achievements continue to pave the way for Filipino sports on the global stage.
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Syrah is Tatler Philippines’ Power & Purpose editor, where she spotlights extraordinary journeys shaping the Philippines and Asia. She covers business, innovation, impact, and culture—chasing the people, ideas and forces shaping how we live and think today.
