EJ Obiena of the Philippines reacts after missing an attempt during the men’s pole vault final at the Paris Olympics 2024, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/David Goldman) MANILA, Philippines–EJ Obiena turned emotional and was apologetic after coming up empty-handed in the men’s pole vault final at the Paris Olympics 2024 early Tuesday (Manila time) at State de France.
Obiena fell just an attempt short of bagging the bronze that would have ended the Philippines’ 88-year medal drought in the Olympics in athletics. After clearing 5.90m, Obiena missed all his three tries at 5.
95m to wind up in fourth place. “It’s painful. I missed a medal by one jump and it wasn’t far on all my attempts at [5.
95m],” Obiena said in an interview with ONE Sports PH. “I apologize. I promised I’m gonna go back after Tokyo and do better.
I did, but it didn’t change in my book. I still came up short. I’m really sorry.
I apologize for it,” added the world No. 2 pole vaulter, who placed 11th in the Tokyo Games. EJ Obiena of the Philippines reacts during the men’s pole vault final at the Paris Olympics 2024, Monday, Aug.
5, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) Like Obiena, Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis, ranked eighth in the sport, also cleared 5.90m but nipped the Filipino for the last podium spot due to fewer attempts.
Just days before the Olympics, Obiena said he has been battling with “various physical problems” but the 28-year-ol.