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Athletissima fittingly celebrated its 50th edition on Wednesday at the Pontaise, with a sold-out crowd that remained enthusiastic despite the downpour over Lausanne. Festivities and surprise guests added a special touch to the evening.
Just before the start of the meeting, the prestigious Diamond League trophy descended from the sky, delivered by a renowned adventurer: Géraldine Fasnacht, a specialist in freeride snowboarding, base jumping and wingsuit flying, parachuted into the stadium in spectacular fashion.
After her precision landing on the infield, she handed the spotlight over to the stars of the track. Braving the cold and the rain, the athletes delivered both spectacle and emotion to the 12,800 spectators. The way the crowd, for instance, applauded and encouraged the last finisher of the women’s 3000 m steeplechase moved the athletes deeply.
After the final race, the women’s 4×100 m relay, violin virtuoso Camille Berthollet electrified the audience with her interpretation of Vivaldi’s Summer from The Four Seasons.
A fireworks display provided a fitting finale to this jubilee edition, which will remain etched in memory regardless of the conditions. In its own way, it recalled the very first edition in 1977, which was also held under pouring rain before launching the successful story we know today.