Vaulter Alex Averbukh not fazed by qualification task

Averbukh has only one month to clear 5.55 meters in the Pole Vault in order to guarantee a place at the Olympic games.

By ALLON SINAI
alex pole vaulting 88 (photo credit: )
alex pole vaulting 88
(photo credit: )
Pole Vaulter Alex Averbukh is not concerned that he only has one month to clear 5.55 meters to guarantee his place at the Olympic Games. "What needs to be done will be done," the double European Champion said on Tuesday, at a press conference launching next week's annual Israeli athletics championships. Averbukh, whose personal best is 5.93m, has not competed at many events this season. "I only learned through the press that I still need to jump 5.55m to compete at the Olympics, but I'm hoping to already do so on Friday in a special invitational at Hadar Yosef." Of his goal at the Israeli championships, Averbukh said: "I hope to clear at least 5.70m and then peak at the Olympic Games. I only have one goal this year and that is the Olympics." Another athlet, who needs to prove his form next Wednesday at Hadar Yosef to take part in Beijing is high jumper Niki Palli. The 21-year-old must clear 2.27m or he'll miss out on the trip to China. "I hope I regain some of my lost confidence and jump 2.27m at the championships. There's no reason why I shouldn't be able to do so," he said. "I'm relaxed and I'm not putting myself under any pressure."