Paris: For the first time since American Bob Richards achieved the feat in 1952-1956, an athlete has won back-to-back Olympic pole vault titles.
Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis etched his name into the record books on Monday, not only securing his second consecutive Olympic gold but also breaking his own world record in the process.
Duplantis, 24, soared to an unprecedented 6.25 meters on his third and final attempt, eclipsing his previous mark of 6.24 meters set earlier this year. The electrifying moment took place in front of nearly 70,000 fans at the Stade de France, who erupted in celebration as Duplantis cleared the bar, marking another milestone in his illustrious career.
“The party is going to be pretty big,” Duplantis remarked with a grin when asked about his plans for the evening. “Not that much sleep, a lot of partying, a good time.”
The competition saw American Sam Kendricks claim silver with a season-best jump of 5.95 meters, while Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis took bronze at 5.90 meters. Despite the strong performances from his competitors, the night belonged to Duplantis, whose record-breaking leap capped off an unforgettable event.
Reflecting on the achievement, Duplantis said, “It’s one of those things that don’t really feel real, such an out-of-body experience. I was just trying to channel the energy everybody was giving me, and they were giving me a lot of it. It worked out.”
The young Swede, known for his dominance in the sport, has now broken the world record nine times. His performance in Paris solidified his position as one of the greatest pole vaulters in history, showcasing his exceptional skill and determination.
“I felt very confident going into today,” Duplantis shared. “I’ve never been so locked in my life than in these past three months. Now I’m just ready to eat a bunch of food.”
As Duplantis continues to celebrate his historic achievement, his record-breaking jump at the Paris Olympics will be remembered as a defining moment in the sport of pole vaulting.
