Athletissima

Athletissima is a meeting of Athlétisme which is held each year with Lausanne canton of Vaud in Suisse.

History

In 1976 there exists in French-speaking Switzerland no meeting of athletics worthy of this name. Great national competitions and international are held in German-speaking Switzerland and generally with the Letzigrund of Zurich.

This year there, Jacky Delapierre (a former specialist in the 800 m), operations manager by the Stage Lausanne to give some relief to the inauguration of the stage Pierre-of-Coubertin, sees large. All starts the July 8th 1977. The inauguration of a stage, was erased in front of the birth of an authentic international appointment, called to reproduce every year.

July 8th, the poster of the meeting is impressive, with for example:

John Walker, Olympic champion of the 1500 m in 1976 with Montreal
Mac Wilkins the United States, Olympic champion of the Throwing the discus in 1976 to Montreal
Rodney Dixon, Olympic medal of the 1500 m in 1972 with Munich;
Dick Quax, Olympic medal of the 5000 m in 1976 with Montreal, recordman of the world of the 5000 m
Dwight Stones the United States, Olympic medal of the High jump in 1972 and 1976

But especially 5600 enthusiastic spectators attend the first meeting, in spite of a beating rain which will prevent any record. The stars of the athletics are under the charm. In the slides is played the most astonishing part that one can imagine. Dwight Stones called to Delapierre:

" What occurs this evening is really fantastic. I am ready, we are ready with John Walker, and others, to return in three weeks. To offer to this formidable public the spectacle to which it has right. "

A second international meeting with place at the beginning of August, the meeting of Lausanne was born. Thanks to Dwight Stones and John Walker, thus of course that with Jacky Delapierre.

The meeting obtains its certificate of merit with the Grand Prix and the first great meeting is held in September 1987, 19 ' 000 people furnish the Stage with Pontaise. The same year, Association Athletissima is founded.

Today

Athletissima is classified fifth, with the row of the athletics meetings establishes by the IAAF (International association of the Federations of Athletics), behind the Golden delicious Official reception of Rome, the Mémorial Van Damme Brussels, Gaz de France Paris Saint-Denis and Weltklasse Zurich. The meeting proceeds from now on with the Olympic stadium of Pontaise with Lausanne

Tests of Athletissima in 2006

Records

World records established at the time of Athletissima

1994 Leroy Burrell the United States 100 m, 9" 85
2005 Yelena Isinbayeva Russia pole, 4.93 m
2006 Liu Xiang China 110 m hedges, 12" 88

Next Athletissima appointment

the July 10th, 2007

External bonds

official site of Athletissima

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