Three Generations of French Pole Vaulting
At the European Athletics Championships, French pole vaulters Thibaut and Mathieu Collet are preparing to compete side by side in a unique family dynamic that spans three generations of pole vaulting.
The Collet family’s pole vault dynasty began with grandfather Jacques, now 86, and continued through father Philippe, a 62-year-old double Olympic finalist who competed in 1988 and 1992. Philippe now serves as coach for his two sons: Mathieu, 31, and Thibaut, 27.
While the younger brother Thibaut surged ahead internationally with a fifth-place finish at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and a personal best of 5.95 meters in June 2024, the elder brother Mathieu endured a difficult stretch that nearly caused him to quit the sport entirely.
A Career Revived at the French Championships
Mathieu’s career stalled prior to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and he subsequently lost his high-level status following the Paris Games. However, a breakthrough arrived in late July at the French Championships in Albi.
Mathieu broke his personal best twice in the same competition, clearing 5.76 meters and then 5.82 meters to finish second behind Thibaut, who won the event with a clearance of 5.87 meters.
Reflecting on that performance, Mathieu told reporters it was the most marking moment of his career and a rewarding second chance after years of struggle. Thibaut noted that while it is funny for such a breakthrough to arrive at age 31, modern athletics increasingly defies traditional age limits, pointing to competitors such as Renaud Lavillenie and Mélina Robert-Michon.
Brothers on the International Stage
For their upcoming qualification round, Mathieu faces his first selection with the French national team. He acknowledged the shift from watching from the stands to being an active competitor, stating that once the competition starts, brotherhood takes a back seat to athletic competition. Thibaut echoed that sentiment, emphasizing his competitive nature on the runway.
During the competition, the brothers will share coaching resources while managing their intra-family rivalry. Philippe d’Encausse is set to advise Mathieu, while their father Philippe—known as “Pilou”—will provide tactical instructions to Thibaut.
Chasing a Packed European Field
Thibaut enters the European Championships targeting a podium finish rather than repeating his previous fifth-place major championship results. He aims to challenge a competitive field expected to feature world record holder Armand Duplantis at 6.31 meters, Emmanouil Karalis at 6.17 meters, and Sondre Guttormsen at 6.06 meters.
Having cleared 5.85 meters three times over the summer, Thibaut expressed confidence in his competitive form.
Mathieu’s immediate objective for the qualification round is to secure a spot in the final rather than remaining a spectator, noting that any outcome is possible once the medal round begins.
