Ahead of the AG Memorial Van Damme the AG Urban Memorial Van Damme Series brings world class athletics straight to some of the most attractive locations in the biggest cities of the country. The mobile track in front of the Atomium in Brussels where a sprint event was held was absolutely spectacular, but the setting of the Pole Vault competition in Antwerp is so awesome that it is hard to describe in words…
But let’s try. To walk on water is something that’s been done by a very special and holy man in biblical times. In Antwerp 8 exceptional athletes took their run up and vaulted on the water of the Bonaparte Docks. The digging of this dock was ordered in 1811 by Napoleon Bonaparte and it now served as an extraordinary location for this event. The building of this platform was a true masterpiece of technical knowhow !
LAVILLENIE: “FANTASTIC INITIATIVE”
The Pole Vaulters wounded up the athmosphere. Pre event favourite Renaud Lavillenie won the competition with a clearance of 5,73m. Quirky winds disturbed the athletes. That didn’t allow them to jump at record height bars but still Lavillenie was satisfied with his appearance in Antwerp. “The AG Urban Memorial Van Damme Series is a fantastic initiative. It is great fun to compete outside the boundaries of the stadium and to jump in front of this enthousiastic crowd. The gusty winds were frustrating now and then but I enjoyed every second of this event. I can now finally say that I ran on water which is very symbolic”, said Lavillenie with a big smile.
NARROW MISS FROM ARNAUD ART AT RECORD HEIGHT
Arnaud Art took a well deserved second place for Belgium. In his second attempt the young Belgian crossed 5,53m. He then passed at 5,63m to attack the national record height of 5,73m. In his third attempt he narrowly failed but received great support from his home crowd. Italian Claudio Stecchi came in third with 5,38m. Timur Morgunov who competes as a Neutral Athlete was in big trouble with the side winds. The European Silver Medalist unfortunately had 3 failures at his opening height of 5,38m.
BE THERE THIS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY IN BRUSSELS !
If you’re eager to enjoy more ‘urban” athletics, then be sure to head for Brussels. At the Brussels Grand Place the Final of the Women’s Shot Put will be held next Thursday at 17:10 hrs. The World’s 8 best Shot Putters will then battle to become the Diamond League Champion. Entrance is free ! 15 other Diamond League Finals will be held the day after in the King Baudouin Stadium at the occasion of the 42nd AG Memorial Van Damme. Tickets are sold online.
The Men’s Pole Vault is one of the 15 Finals that will be held. It’s not on the Antwerp docksides this time but in front of a sell out crowd of 40.000 in the King Baudouin Stadium where a magical athmosphere is guaranteed as ever. The organisers are proud to present the strongest field ever in a Pole Vault competition. For the first time in history 6 athletes on the infield possess personal bests of 6,00m or more ! World Record Holder Renaud Lavillenie (6,16m) will compete as well as Timur Morgunov (6,00m) and newly crowned European Champion Armand Duplantis from Sweden (6,05m). Diamond Race Leader and World Champion Sam Kendricks (6,00m) is the biggest threath and Shawn Barber (6,00m) and Piotr Lisek (6,00m) are strong outsiders. Belgian national hero Arnaud Art counts on huge local support.
