Sweden's Armand Duplantis fulfilled a lifelong dream by setting a new record with his jump at the Stade de France on Monday, after already securing the gold medal. (Reuters/Aleksandra Szmigiel)
Armand "Mondo" Duplantis turned his childhood dream into reality in Paris by breaking the world record in pole vaulting during the 2024 Olympics. Growing up in Louisiana, Duplantis often envisioned competing in the Olympic final, with the bar set at a world-record height and only one jump left. On Monday night at Stade de France, this fantasy unfolded in a way even his younger self couldn't have imagined.
Duplantis, now a Swedish pole vault sensation, not only won Olympic gold with a jump of 6.10 meters but also broke the world record for the ninth time by clearing 6.25 meters on his third attempt. The moment was made even more special with his biggest rivals cheering him on and a post-event meet-and-greet with Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus, the King of Sweden.
As the crowd erupted in applause, Duplantis ran to celebrate with his friends and family, sharing kisses and high-fives with his loved ones. Reflecting on the night, he acknowledged it as the greatest moment of his career. "If I don’t beat this moment the rest of my career, I’m pretty OK with that," Duplantis said. "I don’t think you can really get much better than what just happened."
Born to a Swedish heptathlete and an American pole vaulter, Duplantis has a unique blend of strength, speed, and precision that sets him apart in his sport. His natural talent was evident early on, with a pole vault pit in his backyard fueling his passion. At just 24, Duplantis is already compared to legends like Usain Bolt in sprinting, Michael Phelps in swimming, and Simone Biles in gymnastics.
Sam Kendricks, the American pole vaulter who won silver, praised Duplantis for his exceptional speed and courage, qualities that make him a standout athlete. The French crowd’s excitement peaked when Duplantis attempted his record-breaking vault, turning their full attention to the runway.
Duplantis mentioned that the pressure was off after securing the Olympic record and gold medal, allowing him to focus on breaking the world record. "I’d already broken the Olympic record," he said. "I was an Olympic champion for the second time. That mentality was pretty important."
Standing at the back of the runway for his final jump, Duplantis felt a comforting sense of déjà vu, having dreamed of this moment since he was a child. His successful jump not only fulfilled his childhood dream but also cemented his place in Olympic history as one of Paris 2024's forever athletes.
