Lithuanian Pole Vaulter Miklyčiūtė Exceeds Expectations, Reaches European Final

Lithuanian pole vaulter Rugilė Miklyčiūtė delivered a stunning performance at the European Championships in Birmingham, exceeding all expectations by qualifying for the final. The 21-year-old athlete, making her debut at the championships, secured the 8th spot in the final after a flawless performance in the qualifying rounds.

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The feeling is as if my heart will jump out of my chest.

Miklyčiūtė successfully cleared heights of 4.10m, 4.25m, and 4.40m in Group B of the qualifiers. Although she attempted 4.50m twice without success, her earlier clearances were sufficient to advance. She ultimately decided against a third attempt at 4.50m, conserving energy for the final, which is scheduled for the evening of August 13th and will feature 12 competitors vying for medals.

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It's hard to describe the emotions. What I want now is to lie down and sleep. Waiting, excitement, I couldn't sleep last night, the tension was felt during the day.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Miklyčiūtė described the feeling as "as if my heart will jump out of my chest." She admitted to struggling with sleep and tension the night before, but the successful qualification brought immense relief. "I can't believe what we've done here with my coach Rita Sadzevičienė," she stated, emphasizing her coach's profound influence and calling her a "second mother" and a "good luck charm."

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I can't believe what we've done here with my coach Rita Sadzevičienė. She has the biggest impact on me. Without her, I wouldn't be here. Rita is my good luck charm, like my second mother. We can sit down, talk, and solve not only sports problems. I am very happy for her, I wish everyone to have such a coach.

Miklyčiūtė revealed that qualifying for the European Championships was one of her New Year's resolutions, but reaching the final was beyond her aspirations. "I've already fulfilled that wish, and I didn't even dream of the final. I exceeded my expectations," she shared. She also mentioned having some minor health issues, which prompted her to be cautious and save her full effort for the medal competition.

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It was very difficult, it seems, as soon as I stand up to jump, and the feeling is as if my heart will jump out of my chest. I tried not to think about the height, I focused on the technique. I thought that I know everything and that's it.