The Druzhba Arena, which had seen a dozen pole vault world records set since 1990, many of them by home athlete Sergey Bubka, whose 20-year-old record the Frenchman beat, was badly damaged by fire in May in what was believed to be an attack by pro-Russian separatist forces. Druzhba means "friendship".

"The fact is with Sergey, we have known each other since 2009 and he was very happy to see me break his record in Donetsk this winter," said Lavillenie, who will contest the top individual prize with Qatar's high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim and Kenya's world marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto.

"Since then we have met quite often at competitions.

"It was important for me to keep good relations with him because I was really sad to see what happened in Donetsk and what happened to the Stadium where I set the record.

"It's very unfortunate what happened, and to see the stadium now.

"When I broke my record I looked forward to going back to Donetsk and feeling the same emotions when I competed there again.

"But for the time being there is no chance I'm going to return.

"It's life.

"That's the way it is."

The venue where Renaud Lavillenie broke his world pole vault record, the Druzhba Arena, pictured after being destroyed by fire in an attack this year ©Getty Images

Reflecting on his record, Lavillenie - who has subsequently won European gold and the Continental Cup title, said: "It was a longstanding record and it wasn't expected actually - it was a big surprise for me, even if I knew I was able to jump around that height I didn't think I was able to do it this year.

"I was more focused on maybe breaking it in 2015 or maybe 2016, so everything came faster than I planned. But that is the beauty of sport.

"This year was really pretty amazing for me."

Asked if he now found it difficult to find motivation, he responded: "No.

"The reason is because I love what I do, I love my sport, I love every single day.

"Also because I'm extremely competitive.

"When I win once I always want to win again, if I win two I want to win three.

"I always want more.

"And I still haven't won the world title, so that carries me forward.

"I want my medal cabinet to be the biggest of any athlete in the world.

"I am so  lucky to have found the discipline I love."

On his chances of winning tomorrow, the Frenchman commented: "I hope my chance is pretty good - it's just waiting 24 hours and I find out.

"We'll see."

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