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| Jirina Ptacnikova became the first female pole vaulter from her country to win a gold medal at the European Athletics Championships on Saturday. |
They were introduced to the crowd from under the shelter of the seating area as the rain poured down. At the same time, officials were busily sweeping the runway to avoid a needless accident as the finalists tried to stay dry before the drama unfolded.
But nothing was going to stop them braving the elements as the wind swirled across the Olympic Stadium.
Not one of the 12 had won a medal at the European Athletics Championships before and this was their time.
Two hours later, a new champion was crowned - Jirina Ptacnikova, of the Czech Republic, after a competition where she only actually cleared three heights because in the end that is all she needed to.
Ptacnikova, 26, won on countback at 4.60m from Martina Strutz, of Germany, who had taken silver at last summer's World Championships in Daegu with Greece's Nikolia Kiriakopoulou third.
It has been a good year for Ptacnikova, who broke the Czech record when she jumped 4.70m indoors.
She is now a gold medallist having previously finished 27th at the European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg in 2006, with 3.80m, and fifth in Barcelona two years ago with 4.65m.
She failed at her three attempts at that tonight as did Strutz as just this trio remained in an enthralling event.
Kiriakopoulou decided to miss out this height and go for 4.70m and victory.
It was a plan that did not work as she became a victim of the weather as much as anything else.
On her first go at 4.70m she lost her balance and rhythm on the runway, she grimaced and then as she went to fall on to the mat without vaulting, she slipped and went flying into the take off area.
Her coach watching from the stands had a small chuckle because that was not quite the plan.
Kiriakopoulou picked herself without any lasting damage and then she put her trackside top on, prolonging the drama, before going across to speak to her coach.
But then on her second attempt she ran through onto the mat - this time no slip - and at least she took off on the third try but did not even go near the bar.
All this time Ptacnikova and Strutz sat watching - before they shared an embrace as Kiriakopoulou's bid was over.
Ptacnikova's win came courtesy of clearing 4.30m, 4.50m and 4.60m at the first time of asking as Strutz won silver after two fouls on the way and Kiriakopoulou won bronze with five.
For the Czech Republic and Greece, it was the first time their countries had won a medal in the women's pole vault at the European Athletics Championships.
And of course, the conditions were not too far away from their minds.
Kiriakopoulou was delighted with third and said: 'I am so happy. The weather made it very difficult, but I managed to get a good result. I would like to thank my country and my family.'
Strutz said: 'I am happy and satisfied, everything is fine. It's not so bad when it's wet, the water was coming from everywhere and I had fun anyway. My clothing kept me from freezing.'
It was a night they may never forget, and one where the record books of the European Athletics Championships could welcome three new names.