PRESS RELEASE

« LE SAUT DES GÉANTS » Open Athletics Championships in Tignes

TRIPLE JUMP: The double Olympic Champion, Christian Taylor, will compete against for a title at the summit!

From 16th to 18th August 2017

For this amazing athletics meeting, due to take place at an altitude of over 3000 m, Tignes is proud to confirm the participation of the double Olympic Champion, Christian Taylor. Author of the 3rd best performance of all time in May in Eugene, the American, who has already jumped 18,11 m this year, aims to better the world record at the foot of the Grande Motte glacier. Here, he will compete against his compatriot and challenger, Will Claye.

Will the World Record of 18, 29 m, held by the British athlete Jonathan Edwards, withstand the ardour of Taylor and Claye?

Christian Taylor, second best global performer of all time ( 18,21 m in the final of the World Championships on 27th August 2015 in ), has confirmed his presence at the highest athletics meeting on the planet. Making a promising start to the 2017 season (18,11 m in Eugene last May), the American will attempt to better the World Record of 18,29 m, held since 1995 by Jonathan Edwards.

He will compete against his compatriot, Will Claye, also on the podium in Rio. With a record 17.91 m in 2017, this young athlete literally pushed Christian Taylor into a corner during the meeting in Paris, with a jump of 17.18 m. An intense duel that announces an exciting meeting, only a few days after the World Championships in .

The public in Tignes will undoubtedly be behind Jean-Marc Pontvianne, the promising 23 year old athlete and recent French National Champion, with a jump of 17, 13 m in Marseille. Qualified for the World Championships London, he will compete with Benjamin Compaoré whose personal record stands at 17.48 m. Triple Jump line-up • Christian Taylor (USA) – Olympic Champion in 2012 and 2016, World Champion in 2011 and 2015 – Record: 18,21 m • Will Claye (USA) – Vice-Olympic Champion in 2016 – Record:17,91 m • Jean-Marc Pontvianne (FRA) – French Champion in 2017 – Record : 17,13 m • (USA) – Double Champion of the United States – Record: 17,53 m • Benjamin Compaore (FRA) – European Champion in 2014 – Record: 17,48 m

The international stars of Triple Jump due to compete in TIGNES

After the incredible success of the indoor edition in January this year, the alpine resort of Tignes launches a new challenge: to gather top international athletes in both triple jump and for an exceptional championships at the foot of the Grand Motte Glacier, at 3032 m altitude. A new challenge instigated by Philippe Périnet, Director of the resort, with the support of the French Team Manager, Renaud Longuevre.

If the Triple Jump line-up is enticing, the long jump event also promises to be exciting, with no less than 3 Olympic medalists competing in Tignes. The Olympic Champion in Rio, , will face the silver medalist and Vice-Olympic Champion in 2012, the South African, Godfrey Mokoena, who will also attempt to better his personal record.

Competing in the men’s long jump event: • Jeff Henderson (USA)– Olympic Champion in 2016 – Record : 8.52 m • Luvo Manyonga (RSA) – Vice Olympic Champion in 2016 – Record : 8.65 m • Kafétien Gomis (FRA) – Vice European Champion in 2010 – Record : 8.26 m • Jean-Pierre Bertrand (FRA) - French Elite Champion in 2016 – Record : 8.26 m • Godfrey Mokoena (RSA) – Vice Olympic Champion in 2012 – Record : 8.50 m

On 16th August (and until 18th August depending on weather conditions), come and watch the highest meeting in the world, in Tignes.

To register, please complete the online form before 31st July 2017 at: https://fr.surveymonkey.com/r/HDNSMGT

DUODECIM TIGNES Alyse Zajackowski – +33 (0)6 64 43 23 81 Marion Lapouble - +33 (0)4 79 40 25 90 Elisa Madiot – +33 (0)6 16 57 41 41 [email protected] [email protected]