For his first outing in 2022, the 2012 Olympic champion (35 years old) took 2nd place in this stage of the Perche Elite Tour won by Chris Nilsen (6.02m), silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He This is the second best world performance of the year behind the 6.03 m achieved by the Olympic champion and world record holder (6.18 m) Armand Duplantis, Friday in Berlin.

After needing two tries to clear 5.54m, Lavillenie passed a bar at 5.74m on his first attempt before clearing 5.81m on his second try.

He then failed three times at 5.92m.

The former world record holder (6.16 m), who is preparing for the Indoor Worlds in Belgrade (March 11 to 13), is trying to revive after a 2021 season marred by injuries.

After missing the indoor Euros in Torun (calf), he sprained his left ankle just before the Tokyo Olympics where he hurt his right foot during the warm-up for the final. to finally finish 8th.

© 2022 AFP