The running joke among those closest to Eliza McCartney has been that she is forever the bridesmaid.
For all the medals and milestones already attached to her name – Olympic bronze in 2016, Commonwealth Games silver in 2018 and a podium finish at the world indoor championships – a title at a major has remained frustratingly out of reach for the polevault star.
On Saturday – almost 10 years to the day McCartney, as a wide-eyed teen, first announced her arrival on the international stage with a stunning bronze medal performance at the Rio Olympics – she finally changed the narrative.
In challenging conditions at Glasgow’s Scotstoun Stadium, McCartney clinched Commonwealth Games gold, edging Australia’s Nina Kennedy on countback in a tense women’s polevault final. Fellow Kiwi Imogen Ayris won bronze, matching her effort in Birmingham four years ago.
After a career of near-misses and setbacks, McCartney found herself in unfamiliar territory when talking to reporters after the competition – trying to process what it felt like to win.
“To be perfectly honest, it’s the first time I’ve actually won something, and I’m just like, I don’t know, I can’t quite register that. I don’t even know what to say,” an emotional McCartney told RNZ after her win.
“The closest I’ve come at a major championship is silver. There’s a bit of a joke among my friends and family that I never win anything.”
Eliza McCartney (centre) celebrates with fellow medallist Nina Kennedy of Austalia (left) and fellow Kiwi Imogen Ayris.
Michael Steele / Getty Images
For a 29-year-old who has spent much of the past decade battling chronic injuries, the victory represented more than just a medal. It was a reward for persistence through years where simply making it to the start line was often an achievement in itself.
McCartney missed the 2022 Commonwealth Games because of injury, having previously claimed silver on the Gold Coast in 2018.
While that result was a proud moment, she admitted she never felt fully satisfied with the performance behind it. This time, in a competition shaped by cold temperatures, a tricky crosswind and a world-class field, she felt differently.
The conditions demanded patience and precision rather than the kind of spectacular heights that often define pole vaulting finals. McCartney and Kennedy both finished with a best height of 4.65m, but the New Zealander’s cleaner card proved decisive as she claimed the title on countback.
“It was a really weird comp. It was hard work, it was cold, it was windy, it was challenging,” McCartney said.
“It wasn’t a high height, but sometimes it happens in outdoor sports like this. And I think to be the one that managed to come out on top of that was a bit surprising because it’s such a strong field in the Commonwealth and women’s pole vault.”
After years of injury setbacks, including a lengthy period away from competition as she battled chronic issues, McCartney now takes a different mindset into each meet.
Her Achilles issues remain something she manages rather than something she can completely put behind her.
McCartney said she no longer looks too far ahead, knowing how quickly circumstances can change.
“Yes, today’s been great. Yes, my Achilles are manageable today, but in two months maybe they won’t be,” she said.
“And so I’m very much, I’m so present these days.”
For McCartney, every jump now carries a different meaning. Rather than worrying about rankings, expectations or what might happen next, she focuses on the challenge immediately in front of her.
“I just love polevault – so cheesy, I’m sorry,” she said. “I think that’s what keeps me going.”
“I approach it as, this jump right now might be my last jump. I don’t know. I’m just going to do it,” she said. “And I’m going to be curious, like, can I get over this bar?”
On a night when she finally cleared the biggest hurdle of her career, McCartney found the answer.