Pole Vault
The vaulter sprints down a runway with a pole, plants it in a box sunk into the ground, and uses the bend and recoil to swing upside down over a bar before landing on a mat. Poles are fibreglass or carbon fibre, chosen by length and stiffness, and there is no limit on either; a vaulter who grips higher and bends a stiffer pole goes higher, if the run-up is fast enough to make it work. The bar rises in fixed steps, with three attempts per height and elimination after three straight failures. Ties are broken by the count of failures. Wind is not measured, though vaulters care about it more than almost anyone else on the track.
Pole Vault Men
As of December 18, 2025, the men's Pole Vault world record is 6.30 by Armand Duplantis (Sweden, 2025), who also leads the all-time list.
All-time top 5
| # | Athlete | Mark | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6.30 | — | |
| 2 | 6.16 | Feb 15, 2014 | |
| 3 | 6.15 | Feb 21, 1993 | |
| 4 | 6.08 | — | |
| 5 | 6.07 | Jun 2, 2023 |
All-time list as of Dec 18, 2025
2026 season leaders
- 1
6.31
- 2
6.20
- 3
6.06
Pole Vault Women
As of December 18, 2025, the women's Pole Vault world record is 5.06 by Yelena Isinbayeva (Russia, 2009), who also leads the all-time list.
All-time top 5
| # | Athlete | Mark | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5.06 | Aug 28, 2009 | |
| 2 | 5.03 | Jan 30, 2016 | |
| 3 | 5.01 | Sep 9, 2021 | |
| 4 | 5.00 | Sep 9, 2016 | |
| 5 | 4.95 | Jun 26, 2021 |
All-time list as of Dec 18, 2025
2026 season leaders
- 1
5.22m
- 2
4.95
- 3
4.91