Question

In pole vault, how many failed attempts are allowed before disqualification?

• A. 2
• B. 3
• C. 4
• D. 1

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 3

Rules Governing Failed Attempts in Pole Vault

• Consecutive Failure Rule: In international competition, a pole vaulter is eliminated after three consecutive failed attempts at any single height, or a total of three failed attempts throughout the entire competition.
• Passing Heights: Athletes may choose to 'pass' a height, which means they voluntarily skip an attempt. However, this does not grant them extra attempts later; the total limit of three failures still applies to the competition as a whole.
• Definition of a Failed Attempt: A trial is recorded as a 'failure' if:
  • The bar is knocked off the supports by the action of the athlete or the pole.
  • The athlete touches the ground or the landing area beyond the vertical plane of the stop board without clearing the bar.
  • The athlete adjusts the uprights incorrectly (if not authorized).
  • The athlete exceeds the time limit allowed for the attempt (usually 60 seconds).
• Competition Format: The competition continues until only one athlete remains, or until all competitors have failed to clear a height after the specified number of attempts.
• Tie-Breaking: If two or more athletes clear the same height and have the same number of failures, the winner is determined by the fewest number of total failures in the entire competition. If still tied, the fewest number of total attempts is considered.