Philippe Houvion is a retired French pole vaulter. On 17 July 1980 in Paris, Houvion jumped 5.77 metres, beating the world record of Thierry Vigneron by two centimetres. The record only lasted until 30 July 1980, when Władysław Kozakiewicz of Poland jumped 5.78 metres in Moscow. Houvion was born in Briey, Meurthe-et-Moselle. He was coached by his father, Maurice Houvion, after being talked out of a career in football. Philippe Houvion (France) set the men's pole vault world record of 5.77 m in Paris, France on July 17, 1980. It stood 13 days, until Władysław Kozakiewicz's 5.78 m on July 30, 1980. Wiki link