It’s great to see a friend in top shape – and Renaud Lavillenie is both: a friend of Human Tecar and a top-level champion. The sole athlete in any discipline – men’s and women’s – who scored gold (Diamond, rather) in every edition in the Diamond League’s history. Seven out of seven.
What’s more, the French pole vaulter is a great friend, tout court – even rival Sam Kendricks’; and this season saw the two cheer each other on and invite the public to applaud their adversary, in exemplary instances of fair play. (What race does this NOT remind you of?)
Crowning months of efforts, tough training and a couple of unexpected glitches, Lavillenie triumphed at the next to last leg of the IAAF Diamond League (the first of the two finals: the second will take place in Brussels on the 9th), the Weltklasse Zürich meet, in the course of “a perfect evening for athletics,” as it’s been called. (Temperature was ideal at 23° C; the “miraculous” and futuristic stadium, Letzigrund Stadion, provided a gorgeous backdrop with its 25,000 cheering spectators.)
A high point for friendship and athletics at 5.90 meters for both Lavillenie and Kendricks; whereas Rio’s surprise gold winner, Brazilian Thiago Braz Da Silva, had to settle for bronze at the second attempt, 5.84m
