Calls for rule change after Nina Kennedy denied gold medal on countback at Commonwealth Games
Australian pole vaulter Nina Kennedy was awarded a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games after losing a countback tie-breaker to New Zealand's Eliza McCartney. Despite both athletes clearing the same height, McCartney's cleaner record of attempts secured her the gold, sparking debate over the fairness of current tie-breaking rules.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing controversy in professional athletics regarding whether tie-breaking rules prioritize technical precision over outright performance, prompting calls for potential rule changes.
Debate has once again erupted over the countback rules in pole vault after Aussie star Nina Kennedy was denied the gold medal despite jumping the same height as New Zealand's Eliza McCartney at the Commonwealth Games . Kennedy had to settle for silver on Friday night in Glasgow after topping out at 4.65m - well below her national record of 4.95m.
Windy conditions wreaked havoc with the pole vaulters and made things very tricky for Kennedy and co. The Aussie Olympic champion hit the bar on her first attempt at 4.65m before clearing it on the second.
Nina Kennedy got silver despite clearing the same height as gold medallist Eliza McCartney. Image: Getty
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