Well, I learned one thing this Olympics. I would never have made it as a pole vaulter.

[GopherGal]

6. Gymnastics on a Stick

Kathy Johnson Clarke, 1984 olympic silver medalist in gymnastics and retired gymnastics television commentator, has a son who does pole vault. She calls it "gymnastics on a stick"

I imagine there is considerable commonality in the need for strength, flexibility, and a fearless suppression of the survival instinct wherein the brain says to the body "what the heck am I doing upside down? Stop that!"