Lavillenie wins the pole vault, Cantwell the shot put

After Steven Hooker’s early exit at today’s pole vault event cleared the way for Renaud Lavillenie (FRA). He jumped his seasonal best with 5.80m in the third attempt and failed three times on 5.92m. Germany’s Malte Mohr got second place (5.70m) and remains in the lead of the discipline in the Diamond League. Aleksander Gripich (RUS) came third (5.60m). “Today, we got very difficult wind. It was not easy to turn around, it was hard to have a good technique”, Lavillenie said. “Even the sun was shining on and against us. Therefore, I’m very satisfied with the outcome of the competition. This season, I am focused on the European Championships first and on the Diamond League second.”

In men’s shot put, Christian Cantwell (USA) reached 21.31m for first place; runner-up was Dylan Armstrong (CAN) with 21.16m, third placed Tomasz Majewski (POL) with 21.12m. It was the second victory in two Diamond League competitions. It means that the athlete, whose goal it is to win all competitions, is still on track… “I came here a little bit late yesterday”, the winner said, “so I was slightly off but came into the rhythm in the second part of the competition. My last throw was close to 22 meters (but invalid). One day this year a big throw will come. It just must happen. We are still at the beginning of the season.”