The deadline is approaching for Renaud Lavillenie. The French pole vaulter has until June 30 to cross the 5.82 m barrier. Without this, he will miss qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Operated in September for a partial rupture of the tendon in his hamstring, he hopes to be able to resume competition on May 22 during the meeting organized by his club in Clermont. -Ferrand.
The 37-year-old athlete, who had given up on the Budapest World Championships in 2023, took stock of his physical state: “I was able to resume racing since Christmas, after three long months without being able to do many things. » According to him, the operation was essential, and he was able to resume jumping six months later. He no longer feels any pain.
Lavillenie promises to be “in great shape”
Renaud Lavillenie says he feels “in great shape” and says he is confident about qualifying for the Olympic Games. Gold medalist in 2012 in London, he won silver in Rio, four years later, then finished eighth in Tokyo in 2021.
If he qualifies for the Olympics, he will face Armand Duplantis, the reigning Olympic champion and three-time world champion. Renaud Lavillenie considers the Swede “truly above the others”. He holds the world record for pole vaulting, with a bar cleared at 6.23 m.
