Williams Makes Olympic Games Debut in Paris

PARIS – Former Cavalier Bridget Williams made her Olympic debut representing the United States at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Monday (August 5) as the she competed in the opening round of the women’s pole vault competition.

In her first Olympic Games, Williams cleared the opening height of 4.20m/13-9.25 on her first attempt with ease. The following height of 4.40m/14-5.25 posed more of a challenge as Williams—who used her maiden name, Guy, when she competed at UVA—missed on her first attempt but was able to clear the bar on her second attempt at the height. The bar raised to 4.55m/14-11 and Williams proved unsuccessful on all three attempts at the height. The Greensburg, Pa., native entered the competition with a personal-best of 4.83m/15-10 from February of this year.

To qualify for the final, athletes must meet the qualification standard (Q) of 4.70m/15-5 or be one of the top 12 finishers. Her mark was good enough to finish 12th in the Group A and 22nd overall between the two qualification groups. Also clearing 4.40m/14-5.25 to finish 22nd overall was fellow American Brynn King and Niu Chunge of China.

Regardless of her finish, Williams is grateful for the experience. “It’s awesome,” she said. “It’s incredible. It’s like nothing you will ever experience — only at the Olympics. … It sharpens you up a little bit. It’s just it’s really inspiring and incredible and it’s just something that is hard to describe.”

Capping off a great season, Williams qualified for and competed in her first Olympic Games representing the United States after winning the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. In Eugene, Ore., Williams cleared 4.73m/15-6.25 on her first attempt to secure the win. She was the only competitor in the field to record a first attempt clearance at five separate heights beginning with her opening bar clearance of 4.43m/14-6.25.

Olympic track and field events continue on Wednesday, August 7 as Jordan Scott is set to compete in the men’s triple jump qualification round at 1:15 p.m. ET.