From prostate cancer to M70 pole vaulter: Aussie star Albert Gay

Gay is my kind of

Sydney vaulter Gay is my kind of “raving idiot.”

Albert Gay set an M70 Australian record in the vault a couple weeks ago at his nationals, and he’s profiled in the Daily Telegraph. His jump of 3.00 meters (9-10) is a foot under the listed WR of 3.31, but not bad considering 1) He started vaulting at age 62, and 2). He’s had an “aggressive form of prostate cancer.” He’s also quotable: “[Vaulting] tests your bravery,” he says. “You’ve got to be a little bit of an idiot to do it.” And: “If you get one thing wrong your jump will fail. If you get two things wrong you’ll end up in a real mess.” Mest of all: He gained entry to “a very elite world club of raving idiots over 70” who have cleared 3 meters. Makes you want to be a raving idiot, don’t he?

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May 3, 2015

5 Responses

  1. Anthony Treacher - May 5, 2015

    Yes.

  2. John - May 5, 2015

    He is not a raving idiot. He’s just a typical Aussie!

  3. Geoffrey Gee - May 5, 2015

    A fine vault by Albert but not quite an Aust record. The listed Aust M70 record is 3.14m, set in 2000.

  4. Annie - May 7, 2015

    It was a Australian Championship record. Good onya Albert!

  5. Grant Lamothe - May 7, 2015

    Good onya Albert, again! Albert, I’m glad you’re doing well and want you to know I certainly enjoyed spending time with you and competing with you at the World Masters Games in Sydney a few years ago. Hoping maybe we could meet and compete again in Perth next year! -regards, Grant Lamothe from Canada

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