The pole vaulter known as Mondo could really put up a show. After the rest of the track action was over for the day and 80,000 people were still standing in Stade de France, Armand Duplantis did a huge WR 6.25m on sports’ biggest stage.
Monday night saw a high electric atmosphere at Stade-de-France with pole vault superstar Armand Duplantis describing it as an American football game. The stage was set for world’s most flamboyant athlete popularly referred to as Mondo to not only defend his title. But also surpass his own record on the brand new track.
On raising the bar to 6.10m, this colourful Swede celebrated their Olympic record by recreating Turkiye shooter Yusuf Dikeç’s viral pose whereby he played to fans all around the globe. Following his rivals’ failure to clear any height above 5.95m, Armand Duplantis decided to challenge himself even further. It requested him to raise another cm after setting its height at 6.24 m before it began its adventure towards clearing 20 feet or more.
The first attempt was almost flawless except for a slight brush that caused the pole champion to fall on the mat with it; it was possible that thus knocked off because of slightly touching it in passing. During each break of five minutes between them when spectators sang along and danced their favorite hits, second trial wasn’t as good as the previous one since he nearly sat right on top of bar.
Among those who encouraged him was silver medalist Sam Kendricks from America whose best performance of this season resulted in vaulting over 5.95m.A further five minutes passed, then Duplantis took hold of his poles and jogged back towards where he had started from. Timing everything perfectly this time around which grew louder and louder through slow clapping until eventually hitting ground and launching himself high over the bar to help Armand Duplantis secure his ninth world record.
He said: “I have visualized this moment a million times in my life. I mean, this is every time I was in my backyard,”. ”The bar was at the world record mark and it was the Olympic final that’s pretty much exactly what I pictured.
If I do not overcome this moment in my career, I am just cool with that. You know, I really don’t think much can top what just occurred. So you’ve got to admit it was pretty amazing.
When asked about his thoughts before the record jump he answered: “I tried to clear my mind as much as possible. The crowd went wild. It was so noisy in there; it remind me of an American football game. While I have been in a 100,000-seater stadium before, this wasn’t with me being the center of attention at all. To channel the energy everybody was giving me, and they were giving me a lot, is what I attempted. It paid off.”
Kendrick’s reaction when watching Armand Duplantis was one of overjoyed fan.”I had friends jumping well with me as well as my whole family around and my little boy out front in the crowd. Every time after each jump it would be a kiss for him then for my wife another one which is just amazing; whether I make or miss or win a medal or not, that’s how it is supposed to be done. I want everyone looking at us together like we did on these vast spaces beneath brilliant lights sport.”
“The Olympics bring along a lot of excitement too.” Some say that is the world’s biggest scam but it’s a positive scam A light joke from coach: “I told her not to come but she said she will come and therefore said come with everyone let’s make Paris alive.”
The American was also excited because the winner would offer him something interesting.” A few years ago when Mondo became so hard to beat. And through all those years teaching him how to compete that well bringing him up little by little. I am always telling myself”the winner buys dinner”. Today Mondo won by far so he will pay for our dinner.”
