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| Renaud Lavillenie celebrates after clearing a national record height of 6.03m in front of his home crowd at Paris-Bercy on Saturday. |
'The crowd gives you wings,' was how Leslie Dhjone explained the effect of performing in front of a home crowd when asked.
The man posing the question was a concerned Renaud Lavillenie of France who admitted that his first major international championship in front of his home public created extra pressure.
By half past five on the afternoon of day two, Laveillenie had his answer. The wings had worked their magic and he had gold in his pocket to retain his title from Torino in front of a delirious French public.
But he had always said that his other big aim for the season was to rewrite the French record books. Jean Galfione's 6m had stood since 1999 and after clearing 5.91 at the third attempt, Lavillenie had the bar raised to 6.03.
To a roar Lavillenie bounded down the run-up and the roar turned into a crescendo of noise as he arched over the bar and entered the record books. New French record and new championship record by 12cm (he had already broken it with his 5.91) and a world lead was his reward.
He set off on a joyous half lap of honour weaving between photographers and exhausted women's 400m finalists before deciding on an audacious attempt at Sergey Bubka's world record in the presence of the man himself.
After his exhausting celebrations it was no surprise that he failed, but his first attempt was not bad at all, intimating that there might be extraordinary days ahead.
'I am very happy,' said Lavillenie. 'To win in Bercy, retain my title, clear over 6m, all that on the same day, it's better than perfect.
'Once I had the title in my pocket I concentrated on the performance. I knew I was capable of going very high. The first time I cleared 6m is almost two years ago. Last year I tried very often without succeeding. This time, I got 6.03 at my first attempt, a jump which gave me an incredible feeling.
'I changed poles at 5.91 and used a bigger one. I knew that these championships were my last chance to beat the record this winter. I did not want to fail.'
In the excitement it was easy to forget that silver had gone to another Frenchman, Jerome Clavier, only fifth in the French indoors this winter but performing impeccably. Jerome went out at what would have been a personal best equalling 5.81 but given the warmth he was receiving it hardly mattered.
'I've struggled these last two years. So, this silver medal means a lot for me,' said Clavier.
'It's so emotional. I had a thought for my wife, my mum who passed away, my dad and my coach. I could have jumped higher, but this is the first time I use this strong pole.
'It will help me to be more consistent. I'm sure I can jump 5,90 m. And, you know, this is the first time I see a 6 meters jump live. This last one year and a half, I asked Renaud to do it. Each time, he promised me to try but he failed. He can jump higher, that's for sure.'
The only man who could spoil the party was Germany's Malte Mohr, world indoor silver, but he seemed out of sorts and only succeeded in having two valid jumps all afternoon, his best a 5.71 which required two attempts.
'It is a pity because my last jump was really good and it was just so close,' said Mohr. 'I could nearly have cleared the 5.76m. Unfortunately, I felt tired today because of the qualification yesterday. My mind was motivated but my body was so tired. The competition was very hard. Watching Lavillenie jump 6.03m is motivating us all. I am looking forward to jumping in the Diamond League this year and hope to be doing as well as last year where I was second. And then of course, I want the gold medal in Daegu.'