Rio Dream 1024x531 1 1024x531 1 1024x531 1Levern Spencer finished 6th in the women’s high jump finals to become the highest placed St. Lucian in Olympic history.

Spencer cleared 1.93 to register a top eighth finish. She entered the competition, clearing the opening height of 1.88 on her second attempt. The 32 year old then went over 1.93m on her first try. However, she was unsuccessful at 1.97m.

The 2001 World Youth (Under 18) Championships bronze medallist, was unable to match her 1.94m effort in the qualifying round on Thursday.

Spencer said she was hoping for a higher placing. “I was expecting to do better. I was disappointed. My approach was inconsistent and my run up was messed up. (However), I finished injury free.”

Despite her concerns, she acknowledged her historic accomplishment for her country. “don’t want to be too hard on myself. I am the first St. Lucian to qualify for the finals.” The three-time World Championships finalist thanked her supporters and the people of St. Lucia for standing behind her.

Ruth Beitia of Spain captured gold ahead of Bulgaria’s Mirela Demireva and Croatian Blanka Vlašic, second and third, respectively.

All three cleared 1.97m. The 37 year old, Beitia won on countback, as she cleared all her efforts on her first attempt. Demireva had one miss and Vlašic two misses.

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Clayton Clarke is a freelance track and field journalist since 2005. He is a former athlete and an IAAF Level III coach (Sprints & Hurdles). He has been a writer with Track Alerts since its inception in 2009. He worked with several media houses (radio, tv, newspaper, website) in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, St. Kitts Nevis and the Bahamas. The Tobago native has covered the Carifta Games since 2005, the 2010 Commonwealth Games, 2011 World Athletic Championships and numerous local and regional track and field events.. Though track and field is his passion and main interest, he has served as media liaison with numerous sporting bodies in T&T and in particular in Tobago, namely cycling, chess, football, beach soccer, taekwondo, rugby, swimming, tennis and beach volleyball.

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