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
![]()
British runner Josh Kerr smashes 27-year-old men's mile record
British runner Josh Kerr broke the long-standing men's mile world record at a Diamond League meet in London on Saturday in a time of 3 minutes, 42.66 seconds.
![]()
Owen Ansah, Germany's fastest sprinter, facing anti-doping process
Owen Ansah, Germany's fastest-ever sprinter, is facing a potential ban as the national anti-doping agency looks into whether he failed to comply with a test.
![]()
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.
![]()
'I am at peace' - How Favour Ofili overcame Olympic and nationality switch heartbreak
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili says therapy and close friends helped her rebuild her life after two years marked by Olympic disappointment, and an unsuccessful attempt to change her sporting nationality to Türkiye.
![]()
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.






