Tokyo (AFP)
Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie, 2012 Olympic champion and 2016 Olympic vice-champion in pole vault, could not win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday, injured his ankles and unable to exceed 5.70 m.
The 34-year-old Frenchman finished in 8th place in the competition, after having missed several times at certain heights.
Lavillenie, injured in the left ankle before a competition in Sotteville-les-Rouen three weeks before Tokyo, was again hurt Tuesday during the warm-up of the Olympic competition, falling after one of his jumps.
Face closed at the time of the presentation of the athletes, limping along the handrail before starting the competition, Lavillenie first started by skipping 5.55m, unlike most pole vaulters.
He then climbed 5.70 m the first time, but remained seated on the landing mat for a few moments before returning to his bench.
In tears, his face in his towel, he was comforted by several opponents including Armand Duplantis, the world record holder.
The French then decided to ignore it at 5.80 m.
After cooling his right ankle with ice, the former world record holder started his run up to 5.87m before giving up jumping, dropping his pole on the mattress.
He was subsequently unable to clear 5.92 m, despite a last beautiful attempt.
© 2021 AFP