At 34, Renaud Lavillenie has cleared 6.06 m.
Before trying 6.20 m, in vain.
Unthinkable just a few months ago, this scene did take place this Saturday at the All Star Perche meeting in Aubière (Puy-de-Dôme).
The 2012 Olympic champion had his best performance since 2014, when he set the world record (6.16m) in Donetsk.
“It's just a real treat,” smiles Lavillenie.
OUIIIIII RENAUD LAVILLENIE 6.06 !!
🔥 Superb jump of the French 🇫🇷 who achieves a magnificent performance during this #AllStarPerche!
pic.twitter.com/6TnimW66UA
- Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) February 27, 2021
After such a performance, inevitably, the craziest statistics change.
The Frenchman jumped for the 15th time over 6m indoors, against 16 for the legendary Sergei Bubka.
This third successful attempt at 6.06m is also his 21st soaring over 6m in his career.
An even more particular performance because it was performed at home, on an event that Renaud Lavillenie organizes himself.
“I was keen to do something,” explains the Habs, winner ahead of the astonishing Dutchman Menno Vloon (5.96 m, national record).
This morning, when I woke up, I was like an electric battery, I was only waiting for one thing, and that was to go to the stadium.
"
"A distance fight with Duplantis"
Despite the camera, the three-time indoor world champion was overcome with emotion after having cleared 6.06m.
Forgotten his failed French Championships (3rd with 5.66 m) last week.
Lavillenie is resuming its fine dynamics.
For the second time this winter - 6.02 m achieved in Rouen on February 6 - Lavillenie proves that he is getting closer to the world record holder (6.18 m), the Swede Armand Duplantis.
“I had a ranged fight with him, who has just completed 6.10m.
I wanted to bounce back and this is the best preparation for the European Championships.
"
From March 5 to 7, in Torun (Poland), the two men will engage in the duel that the entire athletics planet is waiting for.
“We know that there is one who will be second with 6m, there is in any case a strong chance, Lavillenie analyzes.
It is all the evil that one can wish us.
This is perhaps the first time that I have arrived at the European Championships as an outsider, and arriving as an outsider with 6.06 m is pretty good!
We know that in a one-day competition, a lot can happen.
"
A first key moment of their rivalry this year, before planning on the Olympic Games, if the health situation allows it.
“Summer will be very important.
We know that we are in a very specific context, but we cannot help but think about it.
With a winter season like this, we just can't wait to be there!
"