AFP
6 December 2000 – Paris - Some of the world's top polevaulters, Jeff Hartwig of the USA, Germany's Tim Lobinger and Okkert Brits of South Africa have agreed to take part in a series of indoor competitions in France next year.
Organiser Marc Vendevoir has arranged five indoor pole vault competitions, starting in the central city of Clermont-Ferrand on January 20.
"The new international formula involves an elite A competition, bringing together five foreigners among the world's top 12 and the seven best Frenchmen in a bid to rejuvenate French pole vaulting," he said.
France has a strong tradition in the pole vault with Olympic golds for Pierre Quinon in 1984 and Jean Galfione in 1996.
Galfione has also said he will take part if he has recovered from the tendon injury which prevented him from defending his Olympic title in Sydney.
The other meetings are planned for Grenoble on February 10, Toulouse on March 3, Rennes on March 18 and Cergy-la-Tour on March 24.
