Accident during competition
German athlete is seriously injured
May 26, 2026 – 1:38 p.mReading time: 1 min.
In Rhineland-Palatinate, German Olympian Torben Blech wanted to aim high. But the pole vaulter missed the mat. Now he’s out for months.
The season is over again for Torben Blech. The German pole vaulter was seriously injured during a competition in Rhineland-Palatinate. Blech landed next to the mat during an attempt. “Difficult times lie ahead. Serious injury and end to the season – more information will follow in the next few days,” said the 31-year-old on Instagram.
In the video | German pole vaulter lands on the asphalt
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He gave the “Siegener Zeitung” a little more information about his injury: “I hit the asphalt with my lower leg and landed on the mat with my upper body up to my hip. Luckily nothing happened to my head.”
Blech also added: “I can’t technically describe how this happened. This is the first time this has happened to me in seven years.” The World Cup and Olympic participant received a lot of encouragement from his colleagues, who wished him a speedy recovery. “My left knee is very badly injured. The exact findings still need to be confirmed, I will announce it on Instagram next week,” said Blech.
