Starring Lavillenie and Bubka, topping the bill at the Eiffel Tower

Entirely free of charge, Frenchman and world record holder, Renaud Lavillenie will be the star of the show, with a prestigious witness in the form of Ukrainian Sergueï Bubka.

“The idea began to form two months ago, after his world record. Renaud really wanted to get out and meet the public, president of the FFA, Bernard Amsalem explained to the AFP. We told him he was on and we’re supporting him in his bid to ensure that this meeting is a fine festival of pole-vaulting. There was one such meeting in the past, back in the days of Maurice Houvion and Jean-Claude Perrin, on the Eiffel Tower esplanade. Naturally, the presence of Renaud Lavillenie provides a great opportunity for communication with a week to go till the MEETNG AREVA, as well as showcasing pole-vaulting, which is a traditional discipline in France.”

The operation has been given the simple name of “Paris Perche” (Paris Pole-Vaulting). It will kick off from 0900 hours in the morning, with a series of activities dedicated to the youngsters, the clubs and the associations. From 1100 hours, Renaud Lavillenie will be lavishing advice on the young pole-vaulters whilst Sergueï Bubka looks on. The demonstration will run from 1500 hours. On the track will be some of France’s finest pole-vaulters, including Renaud and Valentin Lavillenie, Jerome Clavier, Damiel Dossevi , Alexandre Ferger , Alexandre Marchand , Stanley Joseph, Nicolas Homo and Mickael Guillaume. Some of their triumphant elders may well be among their ranks too, the French pole vault family being large!

Reminder of the PARIS POLE VAULT programme : 

–          0930-1100hrs Pole Vault beginners session
–          11-1230hrs Training by Renaud Lavillenie
–          1400hrs – Warm-up by the pole-vaulters
–          15- 1630hrs Pole Vault demonstration