2016 Summer Olympics - Athletes
Pole vault

Shawn Barber
- Date of birth
-
1994-05-27
- Birthplace
-
Las Cruces (United States)
- Height
-
191 cm
- Weight
-
80.0 kg
World Championships (1 medal: 1 gold)
- Pole vault: 1st (2015)
Pan American Games (1 medal: 1 gold)
- Pole vault: 1st (2015)
Pole vault's rising star
After being crowned 2015 pole vault world champion in Beijing (5.90m), Shawn Barber has now set his sights on Olympic gold in Rio, where he will be looking to upset the favourite, French world record holder Renaud Lavillenie.
The 22-year-old is one of Canada's top medal hopes for the Games. Born in the United States, he followed in the footsteps of his father George, himself a talented pole vaulter. In 2014, he won bronze at the Commonwealth Games, before gold medals at the Pan American Games and the worlds in 2015.
Though he can often be seen encouraging his rivals, Barber remains a fierce competitor. He kicked off his Olympic year by clearing 6.00m (a personal best) in January.
Results
Men's Pole Vault
| 10 | Men's Pole Vault | 5.50 |
| 7 | Men's Pole Vault, Qualification | 5.70 q |
| 3 | Men's Pole Vault, Qualification, Group B | 5.70 5.30:-/5.45:xxo/5.60:o/:xo |
| 10 | Men's Pole Vault, Final | 5.50 |
Olympics News
![]()
Olympic rowing great Olaf Tufte dies at age 50
Olympic rowing great Olaf Tufte, who competed at seven straight Summer Games and won two gold medals, has died. He was 50.
![]()
Triathlon unites to increase popularity to level of tennis, golf
Triathlon is taking action to try to boost its popularity, with hopes of bringing it closer to the level of tennis and golf.
![]()
Two years until the LA 2028 Olympics: Five things to know
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics kick off two years from Tuesday. Here's our way-too-early look at some of the stories to watch for LA28 -- and beyond.
![]()
Suni Lee returning to gymnastics two years before L.A. Olympics
American gymnastics star Suni Lee is making a run at a third Olympics, announcing her return Tuesday on Instagram, roughly two years ahead of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
![]()
Steve Cherundolo named manager of U.S. U-23s at 2028 Olympics
The U.S. Soccer Federation named former United States international and MLS Cup-winning coach Steve Cherundolo to be the manager of the U.S. U-23 national team that will represent the country at the 2028 Summer Olympics.
![]()
Wimbledon semifinalist Marta Kostyuk slams IOC decision on Russia
After advancing to her first Wimbledon semifinal Wednesday, Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk slammed the IOC's decision to provisionally lift its ban on Russia and recommend that individual sports drop the neutral status for athletes.






