RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The pole vault world-record holder was banned. The hometown favorite didn’t make it through qualifying.
It was all perfectly set up for Jenn Suhr to win another Olympic gold medal.
It didn’t happen.
The American couldn’t overcome a respiratory infection that left her dizzy, coughing up blood earlier in the day and throwing up twice near the pole vault area during the competition.
Suhr ended up tied for seventh Friday in an event won by Ekaterini Stefanidi of Greece. Sandi Morris of the United States finished with silver and Eliza McCartney of New Zealand wound up with bronze.
“I feel horrible,” said Suhr, who captured Olympic gold four years ago in London and silver at the 2008 Beijing Games. “I’m actually getting concerned. It’s going on Day 10 and I feel worse today.”
