Hooker wins dramatic pole vault

Australian Steve Hooker claimed gold in the pole vault in dramatic fashion with a stunning final jump of 5.90m.

Russia's Evgeny Lukyanenko was edged into silver place with 5.85m, while Ukraine's Denys Yurchenko picked up bronze with 5.70m on countback.

After sealing victory, the Commonwealth champion went on to set a new Olympic record of 5.96m and claimed Australia's first athletics gold of the Games.

The previous record of 5.95m was set by American Tim Mack at Athens in 2004.

"It's draining but I feel on top of the world"
Steve Hooker

It was an emotional finish for Hooker, 26 from Melbourne, who has improved massively after training in Perth with pole vault coach Alex Parnov - who also coached 2000 silver medallist Tatiana Grigorieva.

It is the first field gold won by an Australian man since the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

Hooker said: "That was without question the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life, physically and mentally.

"The Olympic record is really special to me. Tim Mack is a hero of mine. I was really hoping to replicate what he did, and I can't believe that it's come true. It's draining but I feel on top of the world."

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