Rens Blom (Pole Vault)

In August 2005, Dutch pole vault athlete Rens Blom reached the highlight of his career during the World Championships in Helsinki. Rens was the first Dutch athlete ever to win a Gold medal at a World Athletics Championship, and holds a personal and Dutch national record of 5.81 meters. Rens participated in the Olympic Games of Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004). After a long period of injury, he resumed jumping in competition in June. Unfortunately, in the time remaining to the official opening of the Games, he failed to qualify for Beijing 2008.

Rens’ passion for his sport is illustrated by the fact that,in addition to his active career as a world class athlete, he also founded the Rens Blom Foundation, aimed at supporting the development of young talent for instance by providing training facilities and organizing clinics for young and talented pole vault jumpers.