• London 2012 - Athletics

Bleasdale toils as Shakes-Drayton suffers heartbreak

Holly Bleasdale failed to clear 4.55m © Getty Images

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Holly Bleasdale's London 2012 campaign ended in disappointment as she failed to become Britain's first Olympic pole vault medalist.

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The British record holder was considered a medal contender after winning bronze in the World Indoor Championships earlier this year, but finished well down the field after failing to clear 4.55 metres.

Bleasdale, who set a new lifetime best of 4.71m in June, appeared to struggle with nerves on her Olympic debut as she failed her opening two attempts at 4.45m. She roared with delight after succeeding at the third attempt, but never settled into her rhythm as she bowed out in a tie for sixth.

"I am really disappointed, but to come top eight in my first Olympic final is pretty good," Bleasdale said. "I felt I could have done so much better as I did not handle the wind very well.

"I am really privileged to have competed in front of a crowd like this. I think I was lacking experience, as when the other girls come to a competition they know what to expect, and I don't. Hopefully, by Rio, I will be at the top of my game."

Defending champion and world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva only managed bronze in one of the shock results of the Games, after failing to clear 4.75m. Jennifer Suhr of USA took gold ahead of Cuban Yarisley Silva.

Perri Shakes-Drayton missed out on a place in the 400m hurdles final in agonising circumstances. The 23-year-old, who announced herself as a medal contender with a devastating performance at Crystal Palace last month, could only finish third in her semi-final in a time of 55.91.

After initially missing out on a fastest loser spot by 0.09 of a second, Shakes-Drayton was granted a reprieve when Denisa Rosolova was disqualified, but suffered heartbreak as she was eliminated when the Russian was reinstated following an appeal. Eilidh Child also missed out after finishing seventh in her heat.

Abi Oyepitan looked comfortable as she cruised into the semi-finals of the women's 200m, finishing second to Carmelita Jeter in a time of 22.92. Oyepitan will be joined in the semi-finals by team-mate Margaret Adeoye, who clocked 22.94 for third place in the opening heat, but Anyika Onuora failed to qualify as a fastest loser after finishing fourth in her heat.

Women's pole vault

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