The final field proved challenging, with 4.60 posing a tough height for several athletes, including the Norwegian competitor. The height was just one centimeter lower than her seasonal best and ten centimeters below her personal best.
She came close to clearing it on her first and second attempts, but her third attempt proved unsuccessful, ending her participation in the competition.
Retzius also struggled at 4.40, showing early pressure in the competition. However, it was later discovered that the bar height had been set incorrectly, and she was granted a new attempt. She cleared it effortlessly and advanced to the next height.
The 28-year-old athlete reached the final after clearing 4.40 in the qualifying round. The direct qualification requirement was 30 centimeters higher, and her three failed attempts at 4.55 seemed to extinguish her hopes for a final spot. However, the organizers decided to advance all 20 athletes who cleared 4.40 or higher, securing a Norwegian finalist.
“It went from tears to a broad smile. It was wonderful to get that confirmation. When I walked over to my coach, he told me to calm down because it wasn’t over. It’s nice to make it in the way I did today,” Retzius told NTB on Monday.
Sondre Guttormsen was the only Norwegian participant in the men’s pole vault final on Monday evening. He finished in eighth place.