Lavillenie's journey in pole vaulting began at the tender age of four. Inspired by his father Gilles, an amateur pole vaulter, he used a curtain rod to emulate his father's moves. By age seven, he started taking the sport seriously and entered his first competition at eight.

Club and Coach

Lavillenie represents Clermont Athletisme Auvergne in France. Since 2012, he has been coached by Philippe D'Encausse. His training and dedication have led him to numerous accolades and achievements in the sport.

Injuries

Throughout his career, Lavillenie has faced several injuries. In July 2020, he fractured his left thumb during a training session. In January 2019, he sustained a hamstring injury in his right leg, causing him to miss the European Indoor Championships.

In 2017, a hamstring injury in his left leg prevented him from competing at the Paris-Bercy Meeting. In 2014, he suffered a severe injury to his left foot during an attempt in Donetsk, Ukraine. Earlier in December 2011, he broke his left hand and returned to competition two months later.

Awards and Honours

Lavillenie was named the 2014 Male World Athlete of the Year by World Athletics. The same year, he received the title of Male Athlete of the Year by the European Athletics Association. Additionally, he was honoured as a Knight of the Legion of Honour by the French government in 2014.

Family Ties

Lavillenie's wife Anais Poumarat represented France in pole vault at the U23 European Championships. His younger brother Valentin also competes in pole vault and participated in the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Sporting Philosophy

Lavillenie's motivation stems from his passion for vaulting rather than winning. He has stated that if money were his primary motivation, he would have stopped competing long ago.

Ambitions

Looking ahead, Lavillenie aims to compete at the Olympic Games in 2024. His dedication to the sport continues to drive him towards achieving new heights.

All Star Perche Meeting

In 2016, Lavillenie started organising the All Star Perche meeting in Clermont-Ferrand. The event includes competitions for school athletes, legends of the sport, and senior international competitors. He takes pride in creating an exceptional atmosphere that helps athletes improve their personal bests.

Rio Olympics Apology

At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Lavillenie won a silver medal but faced criticism for comments about the home crowd's behaviour. He later apologised for his remarks, acknowledging that it was a mistake driven by frustration.

Motorcycle Racing

Apart from pole vaulting, Lavillenie enjoys semi-professional motorcycle racing. He participated in the 24-hour Le Mans race in 2014 and believes that taking risks is part of who he is.

Other Roles

Lavillenie has also served as chairman of the athletes' commission for World Athletics. His involvement extends beyond competing as he contributes to shaping the future of athletics.

Lavillenie's journey is marked by passion and resilience. From early beginnings inspired by his father to organising major events and overcoming injuries, he remains dedicated to pole vaulting and continues to aim for new achievements on the global stage.