McCartney's notable achievement came when she won a bronze medal in pole vault at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. This victory made her the youngest female athlete to win a medal in pole vault at the Olympics, at just 19 years and 252 days old. Her coach, Jeremy McColl from New Zealand, has been instrumental in her success.

Challenges and Injuries

McCartney has faced several injuries throughout her career. In early September 2019, she pulled out of the World Championships in Doha due to hamstring and Achilles tendon problems. These issues had been troubling her since 2016. Despite starting training again in December 2019, her Achilles issue worsened, forcing her to stop training temporarily.

In 2018, recurrent hamstring injuries and a foot injury ruled her out of competing at the Diamond League meeting in Birmingham. In 2017, Achilles tendinitis put her out of action for the latter part of the year. Remarkably, two weeks before the 2016 Olympic Games, she injured her Achilles tendon but still competed and won a bronze medal.

Autoimmune Condition

In December 2019, McCartney was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition that affects her tendons. This condition causes microtrauma to trigger an inflammatory response. She started medication for this condition and expressed relief at having an answer and a solution to her recurring injuries.

Impact on Olympic Preparation

The postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games to 2021 allowed McCartney more time to recover from her Achilles tendon injury. She experienced a flare-up of the issue in mid-2020 but remained optimistic about managing it better with the extra time given.

Academic Pursuits

While dealing with injuries in 2019, McCartney switched her degree from physiology at the University of Auckland to environmental science at Massey University. She has always been passionate about science and found a new interest in environmental science during this period.

Awards and Recognition

McCartney received the Emerging Talent Award at the 2015 Halberg Awards in New Zealand. Her sporting philosophy is simple yet profound: "You have to be confident in what you're doing, the team and the plan."

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead, McCartney aims to compete at future Olympic Games. Her journey is a testament to resilience and determination, overcoming numerous challenges while balancing her academic pursuits.

Eliza McCartney's story is one of perseverance and passion for both sports and science. Her achievements inspire many young athletes facing similar challenges.