Bleasdale qualifies for London games (From Western Telegraph)

Bleasdale qualifies for London games

6:18pm Sunday 24th June 2012 in London Olympics 2012 - Latest News

BLACKBURN Harriers' pole vault star Holly Bleasdale has qualified for the London Olympics after reaching the A standard required at the Team GB trials in Birmingham.

Bleasdale, who arrived in Birmingham without a current 'A' standard improved her previous mark by one centimetre with a clearance of 4.71m in the pole vault.

But she’s already thinking bigger – or higher – with the 5.06m world record, held by two-time Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva, her next target.

“I was so nervous that I would bomb out without a height but I’ve proved to myself that I can cope when the pressure is on and that will stand me in good stead should it happen again,” said Bleasdale.

“I almost gave myself a heart attack but when I got into my swing everything came together and I was much more confident.

“Anyone who doubted me I’ve just showed to them with the new British record what type of character I am. “I’m better than ever before and everything seems to be flowing now. I really can’t see why I can’t have a crack at the world record in the Olympics.”