Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Aug 6, 2026

Emma George

Emma George 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.

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Emma George (born 1 November 19741 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.23 She was coached by Mark Stewart, who also led Steve Hooker to Olympic gold.

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 2003.4

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