Molly Caudery breezed into Monday night’s pole vault final as team-mate Holly Bradshaw announced it was time to pass the torch on.
World indoor champion Caudery needed one jump to meet the 4.5m qualifying standard in blistering conditions in Rome on Saturday. But Bradshaw, who is retiring at the end of the season, hurt her back during the warm up and admitted she was thinking beyond athletics having failed to go over 4.5m.
The Olympic bronze medalist said: “As I’m coming to the end of my career I’m having thoughts like what if I really hurt myself, what if I hurt my back and I can’t play with my kids. It’s crap but I’m trying not to live in the minute, I’m looking at the bigger picture.”
Caudery is the big favourite for gold and, before her injury, Bradshaw claimed they are already operating on different planes.
“The way I see it is that Molls has taken the baton from me,” Bradshaw said. “I don't necessarily think that I'm competing against Moll now - I think she's taken a step on and she's super consistent. And I'm pretty sure, as long as she doesn't crumble - I don't know why she would - she's going to pick up medals at both [Euros and Olympics].
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“I've been behind the scenes with her for so many years and that capability has always been there. It's just been a matter of can she bring it out? Molly is one of the sweetest, kindest people out there.
"And if I could pass the baton on to anyone, I'd want it to be her. I want to see her go on and be a world beater, which I know she can be. It's great to be able to do a season alongside her and watch her flourish.”
As for her one and done path to the final, Caudery said: “I was really, really happy to save some energy and do one jump and have my best preparation for the final. I’m in good shape.
Molly Caudery poses for a photo outside the Stadio Olimpico."To get that first outdoor medal would mean so much to me. It would give me so much confidence going into the Olympics.”
Temperatures were hitting 34c at Stadio Olimpico, meaning Caudery had to sit in the shade while waiting to clear her first attempt because opponents were beginning from lower heights. And she added: "As pole vaulters we always expect a long wait but you know the weather is lovely, so it isn’t too bad.
"I’ve got ice towels and ice packs just to put round my neck to keep nice and cool out there, I just stay in the shade as much as possible and not move around too much. Simple things really."
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