ATHENS -- Canadian pole vaulters Dana Ellis and Stephanie McCann had their plans changed yesterday when they qualified for the Olympic final. "Usually after a competition we have ice cream but now we've got a final to get ready for," laughed Ellis, a Kitchener, Ont., native who was one of 15 competitors to clear 4.40 metres.

"It really couldn't have gone much better.

"It's right near both our personal bests.

"The final was our goal but after we made it, we both said, 'I can't believe it.' "

Ellis' personal record is 4.42 metres and McCann has cleared 4.41 metres, setting up an interesting final Tuesday in which the winner will likely scramble over 4.60 metres.

"We kind of wanted to try for the (Canadian) record but we'll save it for the final," said McCann of jumping 4.45 metres, which three competitors cleared.

"At the Olympics, anything can happen."

For example, U.S. pole vault star Stacy Dragila failed to clear anything past 4.30 metres.

"It's great to be in the final together so we can share the experience," said Ellis, a good friend of McCann's.

"Once we made the final I just looked around and soaked it all in. Moments like that don't come around very often."