Eliza McCartney

Eliza McCartney

At just 19 years of age, Eliza McCartney rose to fame in Aotearoa New Zealand after winning the bronze medal in the women's pole vault at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

With a height of 4.80m, she became the youngest ever Olympic medallist in pole vault and the first Olympic medallist in pole vault from New Zealand. McCartney also had success as a junior athlete, winning the bronze medal in the World Junior Championships in 2014 and breaking the World Junior Record with a height of 4.64m in 2015.

Two years later McCartney backed up the Olympic bronze with a silver at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Just months later, McCartney cleared 4.94m, a new National and Oceania record, which currently ranks as the sixth highest jump of all time in women’s pole vault.

In subsequent years McCartney struggled with chronic Achilles tendinopathy injuries that ultimately saw her miss out on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, she made her comeback in 2024, winning the silver medal at the World Indoor Championships with a height of 4.80m, and coming sixth at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 

Outside of sport, McCartney studied an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and has used her platform for environmental advocacy.

She has increasingly partnered with organisations and companies that align with efforts to reduce human impact on the planet, as well as being a member of World Athletics’ Champions for a Better World and EcoAthletes.

Her advocacy extends into promoting the athlete voice, sitting on both the Athletics New Zealand and New Zealand Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commissions. McCartney is also passionate about learning te reo Māori and encouraging other Tangata Tiriti to do so.

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Eliza McCartney on 2024 Olympic Preparation, Injury Rehabilitation & Mental Health Challenges

Episode 92

Eliza McCartney is one of the very best pole vaulters in the world.

At the time of recording her career had stalled after an unfortunate run of injuries.

She'd burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old, taking home bronze from the Rio Olympics, before winning silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and smashing indoor and outdoor Oceania records. But then the setbacks started. She worked her way back to full fitness and qualified for the Paris Olympics.

This was actually her first ever podcast appearance, and we’re really grateful she came on to share her story.