Rens Blom

Infobox athlete biography
athletename = Rens Blom


fullname = Rens Blom
nickname = -
height = 1.78 m
weight = 75 kg
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1977|3|1|df=y
cityofbirth = Munstergeleen
countryofbirth = Netherlands
personalbest = pole vault - 5.81 (2005)
career = 1989-present
updated = 18 October, 2007

Rens Blom (born March 1, 1977 in Munstergeleen) is a Dutch athlete competing in pole vault.

He achieved the result of 5.75 as early as in 2000, but five years passed without much progression. However, on June 8, 2004 in Zaragoza he set the current Dutch record with 5.81. In 2005, he showed stability as he cleared 5.80 early in May.

At the 2005 World Championships in Athletics, he once again achieved 5.80 and won a surprising gold medal. It was the first Dutch gold medal at a World Championship. In addition, Blom has won five national championships and four national indoor championships.

The year 2006 should have been the first year, in which Rens Blom was to gain advantage from his recently obtained status as a World Champion. In reality it turned out to be a frustrating year, full of bad luck and injuries. Problems with his shoulder, knees and Achilles tendons resulting in an operation caused, that 2006 became a lost year for the passionate Dutchman. Finally, in mid-October he cautiously resumed his training programme. Fortunately, looking back upon the achievements in several indoor events at the start of 2007, his prospects look much better now.

Blom is a two-time Olympian. At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney he did not survive the qualification round. Four years later during the 2004 Summer Olympics he ended up on the 9th place.

External references

* [http://www.rensblom.com/ Official homepage]
*iaaf name|id=131956|name=Rens Blom