Emma George

Emma George (born 1 November 1974 in Beechworth, Victoria) is a former Australian pole vaulter. She held the world record from 30 November 1995 until 26 May 2000, setting a new record on twelve occasions, before being passed by Stacy Dragila. She was previously a trapeze artist in The Flying Fruit Fly Circus. She was coached by Mark Stewart, who also led Steve Hooker to Olympic gold^{[citation needed]}.

George competed in and won the Gladiator Individual Sports Athletes Challenge in 1995.

George suffered a fall while training for the 1999 Seville World Athletics Championships. She then underwent a number of operations on her back before finally announcing her retirement in 2003.

World records

4.25 m - Melbourne, Australia 30 November 1995
4.28 m - Perth, Western Australia 17 December 1995
4.30 m - Perth, Western Australia 28 January 1996
4.41 m - Perth, Australia 28 January 1996
4.42 m - Reims, France 29 June 1996
4.45 m - Sapporo, Japan 14 July 1996
4.50 m - Melbourne, Western Australia 8 February 1997
4.55 m - Melbourne, Australia 20 February 1997
4.57 m - North Shore City, New Zealand 21 February 1998
4.58 m - South Melbourne, Australia 14 March 1998
4.59 m - Brisbane, Australia 21 March 1998
4.60 m - Sydney, Australia 20 February 1999

Achievements

Representing Australia
Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Notes
1997	World Indoor Championships	Paris, France	2nd	4.35 m
1997	Universiade	Catania, Italy	1st	4.40 m
1998	Goodwill Games	Uniondale, United States	2nd	4.30 m
1998	Commonwealth Games	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	1st	4.20 m
1999	World Indoor Championships	Maebashi, Japan	6th	4.35 m
1999	World Championships	Seville, Spain	14th	4.15 m
2000	Olympic Games	Sydney, Australia	15th (q)	4.25 m