NEXT PAGE

How Pole Vaulting Works

By: Karim Nice
The pole vault originated in Europe, where men used the pole to cross canals filled with water. See more Olympic pictures.
The pole vault originated in Europe, where men used the pole to cross canals filled with water. See more Olympic pictures.
Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images

Pole vaulting is an incredible sport to watch. The vaulter's technique can be so fluid and graceful -- the result of a highly studied technique designed to optimize energy conversion.

Olympics Image Gallery

Advertisement

In this artic­le, we will learn a little bit about the history of pole vaulting, and then we will explore the physics of pole vaulting.

­

Featured