Former U.S. Olympian Jillian Schwartz Competes for Israel at 104th Millrose Games
Former U.S. Olympian Jillian Schwartz will enter a new phase of her career on Friday, competing for Israel at the Millrose Games at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
Schwartz, who represented the U.S. in the pole vault at the 2004 Athens Olympics, became an Israeli citizen in 2009 and will compete under the country’s flag on Friday. The 31-year-old Illinois native hopes to take the Millrose title over Brazillian star Fabiana Murer, who won the world indoor pole vaulting title last year.
Schwartz, who earned an economics degree while competing for Duke, in 2004 became only the fifth American woman to clear 15 feet, and has placed as high as fourth at the world indoor championships. She won the gold medal at the 2009 Maccabiah Games in Israel.
