Olympic gold medalist Jenn Suhr has dropped out of Wednesday’s Drake Relays Pole Vault at Jordan Creek Town Center, according to Drake officials. Suhr, the top-ranked women’s pole vaulter in the world, tweeted, “Unfortunately, I will not be at the Drake Mall Vault this year” on Monday. She owns the world best of 16-6 indoors. Drake’s Ty Patton, the school’s media relations director, confirmed Suhr’s decision. Suhr will compete in Friday’s women’s Moscow World Championships Rematch pole vault at Drake Stadium, Patton said. Attempts to reach Suhr’s agent and coach Tuesday were not immediately successful. The New Yorker was expected to continue one of the top rivalries in women’s pole vaulting between Suhr and Olympic silver medalist Yarisley Silva of Cuba. Silva beat Suhr in last year’s outdoor event and won the Mall Vault as well. Suhr had beaten Silva in the 2012 London Olympics. Another Olympic gold medalist, France’s Renaud Lavillenie, will attempt to win the men’s title. He’ll be challenged by American record-holder Brad Walker. Last year’s men’s winner, Bjorn Otto of Germany, is injured and will not compete. He was a silver medalist at the London Olympics. source
