PARIS — If Damian Warner could go back and do it all again, he would have used a different pole.

After passing on four lower heights during the pole vault event of the Olympic decathlon, the reigning champion made his first pole vault attempt at 4.6 metres, a height he has started at before in major competitions. He’d just had a solid warm-up and was confident he could clear the bar.

A shorter pole might have given him the opportunity to rely on sheer athleticism and technique to muscle him over the bar.{ai:summary}<p>In the smoky haze of competition, Damian Warner fumbled his chance at glory, opting for a higher bar too soon in the pole vault. The reigning champion's confidence shattered like glass when he missed his mark, a reminder that even the best can stumble in the heat of battle.</p><p>#sports</p>

Damian Warner explains what happened with Olympic decathlon exit: 'Yesterday was a tough day'

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