by Larry Eder
Getting airborne, Street Vault, July 4, 2018, photo by Stuart Weir, Lausanne, Switzerland
The street vault is nothing new. In North America, the likes of Bob Fraley, that wonderfully cantankerous and creative coach from Central California, brought in sponsors and the finest vaulters for events in the 1990s, and it has grown from there. I recall a shot put outdoors in Hengelo around 2011-12 that was fantastic! Part of it was the shot putters, who really liked the idea, and the citizens of Hengelo, sitting in beer gardens nearby and right at the shot put ring, truly enjoyed the event. Stockholm did a street shot put a few years ago, and that was fantastic. Goteborg, Sweden hosted the shot put for the European Indoors in a shopping center. It was awesome!
Stuart Weir covered the Athletissima Meeting for RunBlogRun. He took the video below of the fans and the feel of the event. Over the last few years, I have been fortunate to go to the Great City Games in NewCastle/Gateshead/England, Manchester/England, Goteborg/Sweden, and Boston, Massachuesetts. There should be an outdoor event in every city that there is a Diamond League meeting. The adidas Boston event is one of the more creative with an old style meet and a street meet as well. I love the feel in NewCastle and Manchester, and hope to attend them in 2019. But just, for a moment, watch the video below, pretend that you are there, smell the Summer air, inhale the excitement of the children as these big guys fly over the great heights of the pole vault. If this does not get you excited about our sport, well, check your pulse.
Video of Lausanne, Switzerland Street Vault for Athletissima DL Meeting, by Stuart Weir
