His performance was the 12th best of all time, and the best ever achieved outside a stadium. This precision is not insignificant given that a competition without the protection of a stadium is particularly exposed to the wind. And the wind blew on the shores of Lake Geneva, making the performance of the double Olympic champion and double world champion all the more impressive. At least 4,000 to 5,000 spectators watched the race.
‘Mondo’ cleared his bar at 6m15 on his third attempt, providing the spectacle right to the end. Earlier, on the lower bars, he had shown his usual astonishing ease, immediately putting the pressure on his rivals, if he had any.
Former world champion and Olympic runner-up Sam Kendricks (USA) took 2nd place with 5m92, ahead of three men tied for 3rd place with 5m82: Sondre Guttormsen (NOR), Ernest John Obiena (PHI) and Kurtis Marschall (AUS).
Olympic bronze medallist Emmanouil Karalis (GRE) is also sixth with 5m82, but ahead on the number of attempts, while France's Thibaut Collet and Renaud Lavillenie are seventh and eighth with 5m72. Switzerland's Valentin Imsand finished 11th with 5m32.
