The women's pole vault promises to be one of the deepest and most intriguing field events of Birmingham 2026, bringing together the reigning European champion, a former European champion, the 2025 world indoor champion and one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the event.
Finland's Wilma Heltelä heads the European rankings after returning to her very best form, but defending champion Angelica Moser, the vastly experienced Aikaterini Stefanidi and France's Marie-Julie Bonnin ensure there will be no shortage of contenders for continental gold.
European record – Yelena Isinbayeva (RUS) 5.06m
European lead – Paulina Knoroz (RUS) 4.91m
Championship record – Aikaterini Stefanidi (GRE) / Wilma Heltelä (FIN) 4.85
Rome 2024 medallists
- Angelica Moser (SUI) 4.78m
- Aikaterini Stefanidi (GRE) 4.73m
- Molly Caudery (GBR) 4.73m
Five names to watch
- Wilma Heltelä (FIN)
- Angelica Moser (SUI)
- Tina Šutej (SLO)
- Aikaterini Stefanidi (GRE)
- Marie-Julie Bonnin (FRA)
Wilma Heltelä has completed a remarkable return to the summit of European pole vaulting.
Competing under her married name after winning the European title as Wilma Murto in Munich in 2022, the Finn has once again established herself among Europe's elite with a season's best of 4.81m to lead the entry lists.
Now 28, she arrives in Birmingham aiming to reclaim the continental title.
Standing in her way is defending champion Angelica Moser. The Swiss star produced the performance of her career to win gold in Rome two years ago and last year regained the European indoor title she first won in 2021.
A proven championship competitor who has won successive bronze medals at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in the last two years, Moser will relish the opportunity to defend her European crown.
Another athlete who consistently delivers at the top level is Slovenia's evergreen Tina Šutej. She turns 38 this November, but still remains a tough competitor on the international stage. She won bronze at the World Athletics Championships last year and world indoor silver earlier this year.
Few athletes in the field can rival the championship résumé of Aikaterini Stefanidi.
The Greek great won gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics, London 2017 World Athletics Championships and at the Amsterdam 2016 and Berlin 2028 European Athletics Championships.
Now 36, she continues to defy expectations, adding European silver in Rome two years ago to an already glittering collection of medals. Few athletes have produced their best under championship pressure as consistently as Stefanidi who has featured on the podium at five successive European Athletics Championships dating back to 2014.
Marie-Julie Bonnin enjoyed the breakthrough year of her career in 2025, winning the world indoor title in Nanjing.
The Frenchwoman remains one of Europe's leading vaulters and has the talent to challenge for her first major outdoor medal. Norway’s World University Games silver medallist Kitty Friele Faye has improved to 4.70m this year and may also contend.