In 2024, Armand Mondo Duplantis soared to new heights—not just on the pole vault runway but also in the hearts of sports enthusiasts worldwide. Crowned Athlete of the Year in a poll involving 518 journalists from 111 countries, the Swedish pole vaulting sensation outpaced his closest competitor, tennis legend Novak Djokovic, by over 200 points. For Duplantis, who had placed second in the poll in the two prior years, this honor is a testament to his extraordinary dominance and charisma. Speaking from Åre, Sweden, he reflected on his journey and what lies ahead.
The Early Years
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, in the United States, Duplantis grew up in a family steeped in athletics. His father, Greg, was a pole vaulter, while his mother, Helena, competed in heptathlon and volleyball. Though he still maintains ties to the U.S., he now spends most of his time in Sweden, where he began representing the national team in 2015 at just 15 years old. “I wore the Swedish jersey for the first time at the World U18 Championships in Cali, Colombia,” he recalled. “I jumped 5.30 meters and won. That was the start of my international career.”
Training With Legends
In Sollentuna, near Stockholm, Duplantis trains in a facility frequented by legends. Among them is Kjell Gunnar Isaksson, Sweden’s former world-record holder in pole vault. But the surprise addition to this elite training environment is alpine skiing icon Ingemar Stenmark. “It’s wild,” Duplantis said, laughing. “Ingemar trains pole vault now. He’s always there in the mornings, though I usually catch him leaving as I arrive. He’s jumped three meters at the World Masters Championships, which is incredible for someone his age.”
The Mechanics of Flying
Duplantis offered insights into the intricacies of his craft, where every millimeter of technique and equipment matters. His current pole is 5.20 meters long, weighing about five kilograms. “It’s not just about the length,” he explained. “The stiffness of the pole is critical. A stiffer pole gives more recoil, which helps propel me higher.” Despite experimenting with stiffer and slightly longer poles, he admitted there’s still room for improvement in his technique and speed.
Speed, as he emphasized, is paramount. With a 20-step runway approach, he achieves astonishing velocities—up to 10.3 meters per second. “The faster you are on the runway, the more energy you can transfer to the pole and, ultimately, to your jump,” he said. “I think I can still get faster, and that’s exciting because it means I can go higher.”
The Challenges of Pole Vaulting
While pole vaulting captivates audiences with its daring feats, Duplantis revealed the unseen struggles. Transporting poles, for instance, is a logistical nightmare. “The hardest part of pole vaulting isn’t the sport itself,” he admitted. “It’s the logistics—getting poles on planes, traveling to competitions. It’s tough, especially for athletes just starting out.”
Dreams Beyond the Runway
Duplantis’s athleticism isn’t confined to pole vaulting. As a child, he excelled in baseball and football (soccer). “I was a striker,” he said, grinning. “If I’d moved to Sweden earlier, I might have pursued football instead.” A fan of AC Milan, he recently attended a match at San Siro. When jokingly asked if he could fill the club’s need for a new striker, he laughed. “You never know, but I’m not that young anymore!”
Looking Ahead
With the World Indoor Championships in China and the World Championships in Tokyo on his 2025 calendar, Duplantis remains focused on his goals. And while his current world record stands at an awe-inspiring 6.26 meters, he believes there’s more to achieve. “Maybe 6.40 meters,” he mused. “It feels possible, but I try not to think about it too much. I just keep working.”
In pole vaulting, every competition is like a world championship, with the best constantly trying to dethrone the king. Yet Duplantis thrives on the challenge. “I show up, ready to play, every single time,” he said. “That’s just who I am as a competitor.”
And with each leap, he continues to inspire awe, breaking barriers not only in height but also in what the human spirit can achieve.
