A WEEK IN ATHLETICS – APRIL 2013/5

Björn Otto got the better of his rival Renaud Lavillenie twice in a matter of days. (Getty Images)

When the heat of the action intensifies during the summer, how significant will the final weekend of April be seen in the grander picture for three of Europe's top performers?

It could be seen as very significant.

The Drake Relays in Iowa produced outstanding performances from a trio of European athletes who have set themselves the perfect foundation for the outdoor track and field season.

Spanish high jumper Ruth Beitia and the Czech Republic's 400m hurdler Zuzana Hejnova are both top of the world rankings, while German Björn Otto beat his great pole vault rival Renaud Lavillenie for the second time in a week.

It is, of course, early days in the build up towards events such as the European Athletics Team Championships and the World Championships but early markers can sometimes be key markers.

Beitia booked her place at the top of the rankings with a clearance of 1.95m.
Hejnova, who won bronze in the 400m hurdles at the Olympic Games in London, broke the Drake Stadium record when she won in 54.41.

Has the tide now turned in the men's pole vault? At the past three major championships, Frenchman Lavillenie has beaten Otto for gold.

But twice in a matter of days the German has triumphed. After winning the Mall Vault indoors ahead of the Drake Relays, Otto followed that up with victory outdoors as he took this title with 5.70m.

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THE WEEK JUST GONE
It was one where Mo Farah went back to the scene of his greatest triumph for the first time. As he helped launch the National Lottery Anniversary Run, the first event to be staged at the Olympic Park in London since last summer's Games, double gold medallist Farah, who won the 5000m and 10,000m, said on his return to the track: 'It is great to be back here and I kind of had goose bumps. It was special.'

THE WEEK AHEAD
Andrey Krauchanka, of Belarus, a medallist at Olympic, world and European level, tops the names at the World Combined Events Challenge series in Firenze on Wednesday and Thursday. It will be his first decathlon since not finishing in Gotzis last year.

EUROPEAN LEADERS
20km Walk – Men:
1. 1:18:28 Pyotr Trofimov (RUS) Sochi (23 Feb)
2. 1:19:06 Andrey Ruzavin (RUS) Sochi (23 Feb)
3. 1:19:51 Erik Tysse (NOR) Podébrady (13 Apr)
Women:
1. 1:25:49 Yelena Lashmanova (RUS) Sochi (23 Feb)
2. 1:25:59 Anisya Kirdyapkina (RUS) Sochi (23 Feb)
3. 1:26:00 Vera Sokolova (RUS) Sochi (23 Feb)

BIRTHDAYS:
02.05.2013 – Artur Noga (POL) – the European 110m hurdles medallist turns 25.
05.05.2013 – Heike Henkel (GER) - the former Olympic, world and European high jump champion turns 49.


TOP TWEETS:
Drake Relays ‏@DrakeRelays
Olympic gold medalist @JennSuhr talking w/ media at Drake Stadium. Says watching (Renaud Lavillenie) @airlavillenie is 'absolutely inspiring'

IAAF Diamond League ‏@Diamond_League
Showtime in Doha with ten Olympic Champions and fourteen World Champions lining up http://fb.me/1809ACMhr

Jeroen D'hoedt ‏@Jeroen_Dhoedt