Latvian pole vaulter Kreišs ends season early after Achilles injury at Europeans

Latvian pole vaulter Kreišs failed to clear the opening qualifying height of 5.45 metres within his first two attempts at the European Championships and did not advance to the final. On the day of qualifying, he acknowledged that an Achilles tendon injury had affected his preparation and performance. He later confirmed in an interview with Latvian Radio that he has decided to end his season now, even though he had originally planned to keep competing until mid or late September.

Treatment without surgery

The athlete, who turns 24 in September, stressed that the injury is not serious enough to require surgery. He will take a week of rest, followed by roughly one and a half to two months of treatment procedures and strengthening exercises, without jumping or sprinting. The goal is to fully clear the inflammation and strengthen the tendon so he can return to full training load and get through an entire season without significant injuries.

A missed medal chance

Looking back at the championships, Kreišs suggested that with the form he showed earlier in the season, he could have realistically contended for a medal. He set the Latvian record of 5.82 metres in February 2025, but this season his best result was 5.80 metres, with 5.75 metres cleared twice as well. By comparison, France's Baptiste Thiery won bronze at the European Championships with 5.85 metres.

Looking ahead, Kreišs said he needs to work on physical durability to avoid injuries and on greater consistency so his results across competitions are less variable.