Pole vault's rising star

After being crowned 2015 pole vault world champion in Beijing (5.90m), Shawn Barber has now set his sights on Olympic gold in Rio, where he will be looking to upset the favourite, French world record holder Renaud Lavillenie.

The 22-year-old is one of Canada's top medal hopes for the Games. Born in the United States, he followed in the footsteps of his father George, himself a talented pole vaulter. In 2014, he won bronze at the Commonwealth Games, before gold medals at the Pan American Games and the worlds in 2015.

Though he can often be seen encouraging his rivals, Barber remains a fierce competitor. He kicked off his Olympic year by clearing 6.00m (a personal best) in January.