Athletics: Eliza McCartney still hoping to be vaulting before end of season

New Zealand's Eliza McCartney wins silver at the Commonwealth Games this year. Photo / Photosport

Eliza McCartney's hopes of getting back over the pole vault bar again this season are still alive.

However the clock is ticking for the world class vaulter. She picked up a heel injury in the Diamond League meeting in Birmingham last weekend.

She is aiming to be back in time to contest the DL final in Zurich on August 30, and the season-ending Continental Cup teams event in the Czech Republic on September 9.

McCartney suffered bruising to the fat pad of her left heel when she landed awkwardly on her second attempt in Birmingham, and immediately withdrew from the event and had ice applied to the foot.

The Rio Olympic bronze medallist has returned from London, where she sought medical advice, to her base in Leverkusen, Germany.

She is about to start light training, in a bid to keep alive her DL final ambitions. It is mending, but as it's an injury McCartney has never had before, there is no anecdotal evidence to work with.

McCartney has set three personal best heights this year, and is now up to 4.94m, just the third woman to reach that mark outdoors.

Only multiple world and Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva (six times) and American Sandi Morris (once) have gone over 5m.

McCartney had been hoping to end her best season on a high and challenge Morris for the DL crown.

The top 12-ranked athletes compete in Zurich, all previous points accrued during the season are scrubbed and the winner takes all.