British pole vaulter Molly Caudery has joined the BBC's presenting team at the European Athletics Championships, which are being held in the UK for the first time. The 26-year-old world indoor champion is not competing this year after undergoing emergency spinal surgery.
Welcome to the team
Gabby Logan introduced Caudery to viewers during the evening coverage on Thursday, August 13. Logan was joined by Jessica Ennis-Hill and Greg Rutherford to preview the women's 3,000 metre steeplechase final, the men's 800 metres, the men's decathlon, and the women's 200 metres, which featured Amy Hunt and Dina Asher-Smith.
Caudery briefly appeared alongside Logan before heading to the commentary box to discuss the field action with Steve Backley.
Recovery from surgery
Caudery underwent a microdiscectomy, a procedure to remove part of a spinal disc, after experiencing a "flare-up" in June. At the start of the live coverage, Logan asked: "Well, who better to look ahead to that women's pole vault final with than world indoor champion Molly Caudery, who, of course, as we know, [is] not competing because you had a spinal injury just in June. So, I guess the first question is how are you?"
Caudery replied: "I'm actually doing really well. Of course, it was an absolute shock. I had big plans for this season, but that got taken away quite quickly, but I'm very excited to watch [the] pole vault this evening. We've got a great line-up and I think it's going to be fab."
Viewer reaction
While watching the women's final, Backley told Caudery it "must be tough to watch" as she recovered. She responded: "Aw I would love to be out there, but I'm enjoying this new job!" Backley added: "Well, we wish you all the best."
BBC viewers shared their delight on social media. One X user wrote: "Molly Caudery, as well as being a great pole vaulter, sounds a natural on TV guesting tonight. I predict a second career when she retires, hopefully not for a good while yet mind." Another added: "Molly Caudery on comms for the pole vault, the BBC have done a brilliant job this week."
The European Athletics Championships are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
