Menno Vloon won the pole vault at the European Team Championships in Madrid on Thursday. Thanks in part to that victory, the Dutch athletics team is second in the standings after two of the 37 events.
The 31-year-old Vloon was the only one to jump over 5.80 meters. He also tried to jump over 6 meters, but the European indoor champion failed to improve his personal record. World record holder Armand Duplantis did not participate.
In the women’s event, Elise de Jong finished sixth in the pole vault. She cleared 4.30 meters flawlessly but failed three times at 4.45 meters.
In the standings, the Netherlands is second with 26.5 points. Czech Republic is leading with 29.5 points.
On the first day of the European Team Championships, only the pole vault was on the program. On Friday, Femke Bol (400 meters) and Jessica Schilder (shot put), among others, will be in action.
The European Team Championships last until Sunday. The Netherlands has never won the tournament and finished sixth in the previous edition in 2023.