SHE has already been tipped to be one of pole vault’s greats and a medallist at London 2012 by some of athletics’ top names from the past and present.

Former Olympic champion Denise Lewis only recently spoke about Blackburn Harriers’ Holly Bleasdale in glowing terms as her stock continues to rise after a meteoric 18 months.

The growing expectations are something she has just had to get used to after emerging from nowhere to jump into the limelight ahead of the most eagerly anticipated Olympics for a generation.

British record holder, national champion and World indoor bronze medallist, Bleasdale has already claimed fourth place in the world’s all-time pole vault rankings Not bad for a 20-year-old from Chorley, who had never held a pole vault when the last Olympics was on in Beijing four years ago.

“I remember watching on television when Isinbayeva won in Beijing,” Bleasdale reflects. “I had not even started training for the pole vault then, so it’s quite crazy to think how far I’ve come.

“Every year I’ve just improved so much. This year I didn’t expect to make such a big improvement It’s just been a big step up again.

“I don’t want to set any heights or targets because I think that is putting pressure on myself. I just want to go there and jump as high as I can given the conditions and I’m hoping that will be bring me a medal.

“I’m not saying I am going for a medal though as I just want to go out there and perform the best I can.

“To go there, make the final and the top six would be really good for me. I think I have three more Olympics after this, so loads more time.”

While her family and friends from Chorley will be in the stands at the Olympic Stadium, a small section of Blackburn will be glued to their screens as they cheer on ‘one of their own’.

Harriers are understandably proud when you talk to them about the Olympics – and so they should be with Bleasdale joined by Sophie Hitchon and Sam Murray – it seems the Chorley born vaulter is just as proud of them.

Bleasdale said: “Everyone asks me, ‘why pole vault? You can’t blame them either as it isn’t exactly a sport that most people get the opportunity to get into.

“It was Blackburn Harriers who got me into it. I have always done sport and gymnastics and I was doing hurdles at the track when they brought up a six week taster session in pole vaulting and I thought I would give it a try.

“I enjoyed it and took it from there. I wouldn’t be here if I was still doing hurdles. Pole vault is definitely the sport for me.

“Harriers have done so much for me and I will always be thankful to them. I just hope I can make them proud.”

Bleasdale is certainly saying all the right things as she bids to take any pressure of herself. After all, the event should be dominated, as always, by double Olympic gold medallist and world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva.

“She has been and still is a big inspiration,” she said.

Don’t rule out seeing Bleasdale on the podium though.