Legend Bubka backs Bleasdale (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Legend Bubka backs Bleasdale

8:46am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Athletics

POLE vault legend Sergey Bubka has tipped Blackburn Harriers’ Holly Bleasdale to secure a medal at this year’s London Olympics.

The Ukrainian, who still holds the men’s pole vault world record 11 years after retirement, was impressed by Bleasdale’s performance in a recent indoor meeting in Lyon when she incredibly cleared 4.87 metres.

That put the 20-year-old from Euxton second in the all-time indoor rankings, behind female world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva, and Bubka has seen enough to believe that Bleasdale can do well at this summer’s Olympic Games.

“I saw Holly Bleasdale’s 4.87m, I think it’s fantastic,” Bubka said.

“She impressed me by her technical skills and I consider her one of the favourites for a medal at the 2012 Games.

“To compete in an Olympic Games at home gives you additional strength.

“If she can handle and manage this, she will jump high.”