FINN VALLEY AC POLE VAULTER Tori Peña has announced her retirement from international competition,
Peña, who was born in California, is the grand-daughter of a Derry native, Anglea Coyle.
In 2010, Peña joined Finn Valley AC and yesterday competed at her second Olympic Games.
Peña bowed out of the women’s pole vault at the group phase. After clearing 4.15m and 4.30m, Peña didn’t clear 4.45m and exited. She needed to leap 4.60m or to finish inside the top 12 in her group to advance.
[adrotate group=”81″]Peña had ‘no marked’ in London four yeaes ago. She also competed at three World Championships and five European Championships in the Irish singlet and holds the Irish pole vault record of 4.60m.
She took to Instagram to confirm that she was stepping aside.
“Since 2010 I’ve had the pleasure and absolute honor of representing Ireland,” Peña wrote.
[adrotate group=”38″]“This morning was my last time putting on my uniform and proudly giving it my all. I’ve competed at 3 World Championships, 5 European Championships and 2 Olympic Games. But so much more importantly,
“I’ve had the honor to compete with some amazing women. (Seriously, women’s pole vault is on fire and I’m happy to say I’ve competed with these athletes) I’ve made friends with ladies from around the world who have shown me strength, courage, bravery, and joy.
“This journey has been painstaking and heart wrenching. It’s been beautiful and profound. I’ve learned more about myself than I ever thought imaginable. Believe in yourself people, you’ll be surprised what you can achieve.”
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