Money on the line

Canadian Alysha Newman, who is turning into a bankable star on the pole vault circuit, hopes to bank some big coin in the final event of her dream season.

On Friday, the 23-yearold from London, Ont., and 11 other women will be jumping for a $50,000 US first prize at the Diamond League Final in Brussels, Belgium. There’s also $20,000 for second, $10,000 for third, and it trickles down to $2,000 for eighth.

Ekaterini Stefanidi of Greece tops the field with a season best of 4.91 metres and should be the favourite to cart home the most cash. Also in the field is American Sandi Morris, who has cleared 4.84 metres this year, while Yarsley Silva of Cuba and Holly Bradshaw of the U.S. have made it over 4.81 metres. They are the only competitors with better performances than Newman’s Canadianrecord 4.75 metres this year.

“That gives me a great shot at top three and one through eight is great prize money,”

Newman said. “Obviously one, two, or three would be great and would give me a chance to put some money in the bank.

“I try not to go in thinking about the money because I always tell everyone even if I didn’t get paid doing this, I would still do it. I love doing it.”