Fabiana Murer of Brazil competes during her women's pole vault of the athletics competition in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 18, 2008. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich

BEIJING (Reuters) - The women’s Olympic pole vault final was held up on Monday when Brazilian Fabiana Murer could not find the pole she wanted to jump with.

Murer said she was forced to use a pole that was too long as she failed in her three attempts to clear 4.65 meters, after she was unable to find the right pole among those she had brought to the stadium.

“It wasn’t possible. I had to have that one pole. It wasn’t on the track and I don’t know where it was,” she said.

The 27-year-old Murer said she intended to protest to Beijing organizers.

At one point during the dispute Murer stood on the runway blocking the path of China’s Gao Shuying, who was preparing to jump.

Murer rummaged through the poles and talked with officials and her coach for 10-15 minutes before competition restarted.

The competition was won by Russia’s Yelena Isinbayeva with a world record leap of 5.05 meters.