2023-07-30 17:37:08
A mini-earthquake shook the tricolor athletics this Sunday in Albi. Systematically on the podium of the French Pole Vaulting Championship since 2012, Renaud Lavillenie was eliminated from the start of the competition in the 2023 edition. Hampered by the wind, like all his competitors, the former world record holder failed to cross his first bar, placed at 5.51m. He leaves the competition without a podium and without benchmarks for the Worlds.
The pole vaulter theoretically no longer has to worry about the minima required for Budapest, set at 5.81m, which he achieved in August 2022. But he wanted to regain full confidence, after having peaked at 5.61m this summer , also remaining stuck at 5.42m on his last two outings. The road captain of the Blues, hampered by an injury this winter, missed a great opportunity, which was felt in the frustration he showed to the officials after his third failure.
Collet as an heir
Ten times champion of France, he left the light to Thibaut Collet, already defending champion. The Grenoblois himself passed on the last try to 5.51m, before crossing 5.71m again on his last attempt. He will be present in Budapest, with the hope of playing for a podium, which has never seemed so far for Lavillenie.
Admirable for his ability to rebound throughout his immense career, the 2012 Olympic champion will now have to work to achieve his ultimate goal: the home medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. minima, placed at 5.82m by World Athletics. A height that he has not crossed since the last Worlds, in Eugene, last July.
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