2026 U.S. pole vault champion Chris Nilsen chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos following his win at the USA Track and Field Championships in Randall’s Island Park, New York.
Nilsen cleared 5.82 meters in the men’s pole vault to claim his seventh U.S. title, thus adding a fourth outdoor championship to his resume and his first since 2023. “It was an absolute dogfight the entire time out there today. It makes it all the more memorable. Thanks to everyone that came out, supported, and brought this sport to another level once again,” Nilsen expressed.
On the greatest lesson that the sport of pole vault has taught him, Nilsen reflected, “It has taught me how to be a gentleman! We have guys out there, same point of term, it’s a gentleman’s game. You try to come out here — more people make it about pride than honor — than it should be out here.”
“I think a lot of people are trying to do as much as they can to make themselves successful, rather than help out the sport as much as they can. Sometimes that’s the sacrifice of the sport, honor and pride. It can be tough… some people just don’t know how to lose,” he noted.
To learn more about Chris Nilsen, follow him on Instagram.
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