English
‘Becoming a famous person can be annoying sometimes in daily life. But crowds don’t walk out on the streets either when I’m going to the bakery and buy my daily bread. On the other hand I appreciate the attention and the reactions that I get inside and outside the world of athletics. Seeing my picture on meeting posters like it is the case in Brussels is also very nice. It proves that athletics is more than sprinting only.’
‘I don’t think that jumping 6.16m has changed or influenced the way that I train, my team has remained the same. That’s why I was so happy that I could win a third consecutive European title in Zürich. And tomorrow I really want to jump very high.’
Lavillenie leads the seasonal World Lists with ‘only’ 5.92m. ‘I would be a bit disappointed if I couldn’t end this season with a 6 meter plus performance. And I don’t want to do it the easy way in choosing my programs or in jumping in street vaults. I have competed in the IAAF Diamond League meetings and we really haven’t been lucky with the weather conditions this year. In Brussels the weather forecast is good and therefore I will be fully engaged to attack the six meter mark here. Last year I already broke the stadium record with 5.96m. With the support of the crowd it can happen.’