Harry Coppell admits mixed emotions after Commonwealth bronze

Harry Coppell admitted mixed emotions after claiming Commonwealth Games pole vault bronze.

The 26-year-old Billinge athlete was seventh in last year's Olympic final and had high hopes of claiming his first major international title at the Alexander Stadium.

However, a best clearance of 5.50m, well below his 5.85m British record, ranked him third, behind England team-mate Adam Hague and Australian gold medallist Kurtis Marshall.

"To be honest there's some disappointment because I came in with the mindset that I wanted to win," said Coppell.

"Kurtis was going to be really hard to beat, he looked incredible and tried the games record. It was no trivial thing trying to beat him.

“Adam played the competition perfectly to get that second place. I’m disappointed overall but happy for me, happy for my teammate and Kurtis jumped brilliantly, it’s been a good night for the boys all round.

“I’m only disappointed now because I was trying to hype myself up to go for the win. It’s an incredible achievement – I didn’t make the last Commonwealth Games, I missed it by five or ten centimetres, so to be here and get a medal is incredible.”

This summer, Team England, supported by funding raised by National Lottery players, comprises of over 400 athletes, all vying for medal success.

Coppell also cleared a best height of 5.50m at the recent World Championships in Oregon, where he ranked 19th in qualifying.

He will now reset his sights on this month's European Championships in Munich - but he knows more improvement is needed to challenge the medals.

“I’m going to Europeans from here and I’m really excited about it," he said.

"It will be a bit like worlds – I’ve jumped back-to-back 5.50s, which is ok consistency-wise, but I have high standards and it’s not enough yet. I need to get over those 5.60 or 5.70 bars to make the final in Munich.”

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