EJ Obiena immediately returned to action by winning the gold medal in the Jump & Fly meet in Hechingen, Germany Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
File Photo from EJ Obiena's Facebook page Obiena cleared the bar with 5.80 meters to rule the field that included China’s Huang Bokai and hometown bet
EJ Obiena couldn’t sustain his winning form a few days back after finishing sixth in the prestigious Bauhaus Galan Wanda Diamond League meet in Stockholm, Sweden Thursday (Friday in Manila).
Photo from EJ Obiena's Facebook account The Tokyo Olympian could only clear 5.73 meters – far lower from
Published August 3, 2021, 8:53 AM
MB File Photo
EJ Obiena shoots for Olympic glory against familiar opponents on Tuesday when he guns for nothing but the gold medal in the men’s pole vault at the Olympic Track Stadium in Tokyo.
A podium victory for Obiena would make him only the third Filipino athlete to win a medal in the sport after Simeon Toribio (men’s high jump) and Miguel White (men’s 400-meter hurdles) won bronzes in the 1932 Los Angeles and 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Obiena, ranked No. 6 in the world, cleared 5.75 meters in Saturday’s qualifications to book one of the 14 spots in the final, joining a tough field composed of athletes he has already competed against more than once.
The United States Olympics and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) confirmed this in a statement on Twitter.
“The health and safety of our athletes, coaches and staff is our top priority. We are saddened to confirm that Sam Kendricks tested positive for COVID-19 and will not compete in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020,” the statement read.
(1/3) The health and safety of our athletes, coaches and staff is our top priority. We are saddened to confirm that Sam Kendricks tested positive for COVID-19 and will not compete in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. USOPC News (@USOPC News) July 29, 2021
The USOPC added Kendricks has now been transferred into isolation at a hotel in alignment with local rules and protocols.