Hartwig announces upcoming retirement (sort of)

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.european-athletics.org/index ... 8&Itemid=2

"I guess this will be my last indoor season, so I am just enjoying it. I know that it wasn't a very good competition but I just arrived from New York and am a little tired," said Hartwig.

I think this is as close as I have seen to an official announcement from Hartwig on when he would retire, though he has hinted at this in the past. I think his plan is to compete into September or whenever he turns 40 and break the M40 record.

Speaking of almost-40 vaulters, Pat Manson told me in Reno that his goal is to make it to the Olympic Trials in 2008.

Best of luck to both of you guys. You have both been an inspiration to countless pole vaulters for many years now

[TrackCEO]

Thanks for the link, Becca!

Yeah, Jeff definitely will vault at age 40 -- as he told me in December:

http://masterstrack.com/blog/001170.html

But he didn't say nuthin about quittin at 40!

Oh well. At least he'll set the standards high for the next crop of 40-somethings.

K E N

[newvaulter]

This second article is interesting. It makes it seem as though Jeff wants to make this his last indoor season only because he doesn't want to break Earl Bell's M40 record of 5.18. But he hints that it would NOT be his last indoor season if someone else were to break that record this year, in which case I guess he figures he wouldn't be doing his coach any injustice? Interesting viewpoint to take.

[achtungpv]

Several years ago, Hartwig said he'd never quit vaulting just quit vaulting for a living. If he still plans that, you'll probably see the first 50 year old 17-footer.

[rainbowgirl28]

Several years ago, Hartwig said he'd never quit vaulting just quit vaulting for a living. If he still plans that, you'll probably see the first 50 year old 17-footer.

From my conversations with him over the past year, I don't think that is the case anymore.

Although you never know what will happen after he hangs up the spikes. Maybe he will miss it and come back.