The stick giant Duplantis is going for a world record.
This moment must be celebrated: Armand "Mondo" Duplantis fulfills his greatest pole vault dream in Paris. And now he owes one to a rival. The Swedish superstar has been jumping in his own league for years, just like Sergej Bubka once did.
Big performance, big emotions, big party: After setting a new pole vault world record in front of 70,000 fans at the Stade de France, Armand Duplantis had no thoughts of sleep. The Swedish gold medalist promised a wild celebration after clearing 6.25 meters. "I'm so happy. My family is here, my girlfriend, some of my best friends. I'm going to enjoy this like crazy. The party will be huge, not much sleep, just a good time," Duplantis predicted after his ninth world record.
He fully enjoyed the biggest moment of his already very successful career in the boiling stadium in Saint-Denis after successfully clearing the bar on his third attempt. After the medal ceremony for 100-meter Olympic champion Noah Lyles, the giant stage was clear for the other big star that athletics has to offer. Duplantis was the center of attention in the last event, he had the stadium in his grip, and the fans cheered him on with "Mondo" chants. And the slim, usually reserved athlete delivered, just like the extroverted sprinter Lyles did in the memorable 100-meter final.
After the spectacular flight over the bar, the 24-year-old couldn't hold back his emotions. He only attempted the bar four times in the Olympic final, which was enough for gold. Like a dervish, he jumped off the mat after landing, bounced like a rubber ball on the track, and jumped into the arms of his loved ones. With this victory, he has already won seven gold medals at major championships. And he's only 24 years old. His path to becoming a pole vault legend was set from an early age. As a three-year-old, he supposedly practiced in the living room, using the couch as a landing mat. Later, his father Greg, an American and former pole vaulter, and his Swedish mother built a real setup in the garden. Since then, Duplantis has been soaring higher and higher.
Childhood dream fulfilled
While it was as close as it's ever been in the sprints, Duplantis has been jumping in his own league like Sergej Bubka for years. He has now fulfilled his childhood dream of setting a world record on the biggest stage in sports - at the Olympic Games. "And I did it in front of the most incredible audience I've ever jumped in front of," he said. "It was so loud, it was like an American football game." Although he's used to arenas for 100,000 people, Duplantis explained that he's never been the center of attention like this before. He tried to redirect the energy, and it worked. His self-confidence and growing experience in handling such pressure, along with his unique athletic abilities, are the recipe for success.
Despite his talent, he also brings an iron will. Before the Olympic season, he changed his diet and is now two kilos lighter than before - allowing him to launch himself even higher and squeeze out every centimeter. It's all for the big dream. Duplantis said he lived "like in a cave" for the last three months, following a strict and "boring" diet. "But it was all worth it," he said. After achieving his goal, Duplantis first indulged in some fried chicken from a fast-food chain and partied hard with his girlfriend, parents, and three siblings: "If I don't have a better moment in my career, that's okay."
"Celebrated Extensively, Perhaps a Bit Too Much"
The competition, fiercely battling for the remaining medals, once again reduced Duplantis to a mere spectator. Attempts over heights that many struggle with seem almost effortless for him, as if he's jumping over his own backyard fence. American Sam Kendricks, who took silver with 5.95 meters, had already thought of a small penalty for Duplantis some years ago. "The winner buys dinner. Mondo won very clearly today, so he'll be buying us dinner," Kendricks said mischievously. He was world champion in 2017 and 2019, but now it seems that major titles are reserved only for Duplantis.
At the wild gold party, Duplantis indeed let loose, spraying champagne around like a Formula 1 driver, helping himself to a few sips from the magnum bottle, and kissing his girlfriend Desiree repeatedly. Duplantis reveled in his triumph. "I celebrated extensively, perhaps a bit too much," he said with tired eyes and a hoarse voice as he appeared on Swedish television the next morning. And towards the king, the superstar said, "I hope he enjoyed the show." He had previously gotten a hug from King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia.
Given that Armand Duplantis has achieved his childhood dream of setting a world record at the Olympic Games, possessing an unparalleled talent in pole vaulting, it's no surprise that the Olympic Games would be an ideal platform for him to showcase his skills. In fact, it would be a missed opportunity not to mention that Duplantis' remarkable performance at the Olympic Games in Paris could potentially be his highlight in a career filled with accolades.
With his gold medal victory and record-breaking jump, Duplantis' name will undoubtedly be etched in the annals of the Olympic Games, joining the ranks of other celebrated athletes. In the larger context, his performance at the Olympic Games could inspire future generations of pole vaulters and athletes to strive for greatness. Thus, we can conclude that the Olympic Games served as the perfect stage for Armand Duplantis to fulfill his dream and cement his legacy as a pole vaulting legend.
