Cuban pole vaulter snaps pole on first attempt at Olympics (PHOTO)

Lazaro Borges shattered his pole into three pieces during qualifying for Thursday's pole vault final, sending shards of fiberglass flying in all directions and ejecting him into the pit.

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The Cuban was making his first attempt of the Olympics at 5.35 meters (approximately 17.5 feet). The spectacular crash fortunately caused no injury to either Borges or trackside officials. He calmly brushed off his hands and collected the pieces of his pole after the incident.

Borges won a silver medal at least year's world championships. He failed on his second attempt at 5.35 meters but cleared the pole on his final jump. Later, he'd miss all three attempts at 5.60 meters to finish one place out of qualifying for the final.

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