Donetsk (Ukrainian: Донецьк Ukrainian pronunciation: [doˈnɛt͡sʲk], translit. Donets’k; Russian: Доне́цк, translit. Donetsk; former names: Yuzovka, Staline, Stalino, see also: Cities' alternative names), is a large city in eastern Ukraine on the Kalmius river. Administratively, it is a center of Donetsk Oblast, while historically, it is the unofficial capital and largest city of the larger economic and cultural Donets Basin (Donbass) region. Donetsk is a major economic, industrial and scientific center of Ukraine with a high concentration of companies and a skilled workforce.

The city was founded in 1869 by a Welsh businessman, John Hughes, who constructed a steel plant and several coal mines in the region; the town was thus named Yuzovka (Юзовка) in recognition of his role in its founding ("Yuz" being a Russian or Ukrainian approximation of Hughes). During Soviet times, the city's steel industry was expanded. In 1924–1931, the town was renamed in Stalino (Сталино). In 1932 the city became the center of Donetsk region. Today, the city remains the center for Ukraine's coal mining and notable steel industry center.

Renaud Lavillenie (French pronunciation: [ʁə.no la.vil.ni]; born 18 September 1986 in Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire) is a French pole vaulter.

Born the 18th of September 1986

He won the gold medal at the 2009 European Indoor Championships. He also competed at the 2008 World Indoor Championships, but without reaching the final. As of 2011^[update], he holds the French record for the highest pole vault clearance indoors at 6.03 m, which is the third-highest personal best indoor clearance of all time.

Lavillenie achieved a personal best jump of 5.65 metres in June 2008 in Villeneuve-d'Ascq. He vaulted 5.81 metres on the indoor track in December 2008 in Aulnay-sous-Bois, and repeated the feat twice since.

He improved his outdoor best to 5.80 m in May 2009, beating veteran French pole vaulter Romain Mesnil in Forbach. Shortly after he increased his best to 5.96 m at a meet in Aubière, setting a world-leading mark. He improved the world-leading mark to 6.01 metres in June 2009 in Leiria, Portugal.

At the 2009 World Championships in Athletics he vaulted 5.80 m to win the bronze medal (his first global medal) behind Steven Hooker and Mesnil. He also took part in the 2009 IAAF World Athletics Final but failed to record a mark and finished last. The following season he entered the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships, but he could not achieve the qualifying mark of 5.60 m and did not make it into the final. He had better success at the 2010 IAAF Diamond League in the outdoor season, scoring a win at the Bislett Games. At the Adidas Grand Prix in June 2010, he beat Steven Hooker with a winning vault of 5.85 m. A few weeks later, he captured the European title in Barcelona.