"The pole vault is the most technical of all the field events, and it's very difficult to learn," says the CBC's Michael Smith, who had to learn pole vaulting as a decathlete.

"It's a very unnatural thing to pick up, but once you begin to learn, it's a thrilling thing to do, and to watch. You have to learn in stages -- learn how to run with the pole, learn how to plant it in the box, learn how to take off, learn how to let the pole vault you upward, and so on."

It's probably not a surprise that most pole vaulters will tell you mental sharpness is as much a part of the event as strength and speed. "There's so little room for error," says Smith. "And if there's much of a wind, that can really wreak havoc with the vaulting, especially if it's swirling."