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Lavillenie not focusing on Rio Olympics

He may be a strong favourite to win gold in Rio, but Renaud Lavillenie is refusing to look beyond the current Diamond League meet in Eugene.

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Pole vault world record holder Renaud Lavillenie has insisted that he intends to treat the Rio Olympics as just another competition.

The 29-year-old Frenchman, who set the new record of 6.16m in 2014, is the strong favourite to retain the gold medal he won at the 2012 Games in London.

But he is adamant that he will not allow his focus to waver in the run up to Rio.

"I'm preparing for Rio like a normal competition," he said.

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"There is not a specific preparation for this kind of competition.

"I'm still having competitions until the end of July, including nationals, European and Diamond League meetings and then I will go to Rio and just have a few days in Brazil to get acclimatised."

Lavillenie is currently competing in the Eugene leg of the Diamond League, looking to overhaul current overall standings leader Sam Kendricks.

And the reigning world indoor champion is refusing to look beyond the Oregon event.

"I'm not thinking about Rio," he said, "I'm just thinking about Eugene and my season and trying to get highs and be able to jump well.

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"Then I will focus on the next steps and it's like that until the last competition before Rio.

"I think it's the best way for me to be able to progress and get higher and higher every time and better and better.

"That way I can stay focused on my job and I will be focused 100 per cent in Rio after my last competition."

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