- Kiwi Eliza McCartney deeply concerned about climate change
- Pole vaulter, 28, won a bronze medal at 2016 Olympics
Olympic medallist Eliza McCartney has revealed her bizarre climate change theory – with the pole vaulter adamant the black sticky grip she uses when competing has changed due to increasing global humidity.
McCartney, 28, is best known for snaring a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro – but her outspoken views on the environmental state of the world have raised eyebrows.
The climate warrior does her bit in her eyes by voting green and composting her own food – but knows many fellow athletes don’t follow her lead.
‘It is deeply upsetting that we have got to this point,’ McCartney said when quizzed about the impact of climate change.
‘At the Paris Games, air conditioners had to be brought into the Olympic Village to cope with the extreme heat.
‘[When competing] I use a black sticky grip on the pole, and that kind of breaks down the more humidity there is… so then I have more sweat on my hands.
Olympic medallist Eliza McCartney has revealed her bizarre climate change theory (pictured, competing at the 2024 Paris Games)
The pole vaulter believes the black sticky grip she uses on her right hand when competing has changed due to increased humidity across the world
McCartney did concede her own carbon footprint is significant due to frequent international travel to compete against the world’s best
‘So I’ve also got a little bit of a safety risk as well when it comes to extreme humidity and heat.’
McCartney did concede her own carbon footprint is significant due to frequent international travel to compete against the world’s best.
‘A lot of athletes, I think, are nervous to talk about [climate change] because they’re afraid of being labelled a hypocrite,’ she told Stuff.
‘I’ve got a big carbon footprint, there’s no denying that.’
Her focus is encouraging people to be part of the solution, rather than feel guilty or be cynical.
‘It is something I care deeply about,’ she added. ‘You can be a leader through your actions.’
McCartney also intends on competing at the Los Angeles Olympics come 2028.
She missed the Tokyo Games in 2021 due to injury – then made an incredible comeback from chronic Achilles issues to compete in Paris last year, finishing sixth in the women’s final.
Aussie Nina Kennedy won gold ahead of ahead of US star Katie Moon, who claimed silver on a countback from Canada’s Alysha Newman.
