Pole vaulter Ekaterini Stefanidi has been dethroned in a high-class European Championship decision. The Greek, who was aiming for the title hat-trick in Munich, was beaten by Wilma Murto of Finland on Wednesday evening in the Olympic Stadium with a jump of 4.75 m.
The 24-year-old jumped a national record of 4.85 m and caused a surprise. Bronze went to the co-favourite, Tina Sutej from Slovenia (4.75).
32-year-old Stefanidi had dominated the pole vault scene in Europe for several years, winning titles at the European Championships in Berlin 2018 and Amsterdam 2016 respectively. At the World Championships in Eugene, the 2016 Olympic champion and 2017 world champion missed the podium in fifth place.
The German jumpers Jaqueline Otchere, who had finished tenth in Eugene, and Anjuli Knäsche were eliminated in the qualification.