Swedish pole vault sensation Armand “Mondo” Duplantis captivated audiences in Paris during the Olympic pole vault event on August 5, where he set a new world record that left fans at Stade de France roaring his name.
The 24-year-old cleared an impressive 6.25 meters (20.5 feet) on his final attempt, surpassing his previous world record of 6.24 meters established earlier this year. His performance was described by one publication as akin to “the Timothée Chalamet of the pole vault.”
Duplantis has solidified his status as the greatest pole vaulter in history, having broken his own world record nine times, as reported by NBC Olympics. He is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and has also earned titles as both a two-time world indoor champion and a two-time outdoor champion, making him the first male pole vaulter to win back-to-back Olympic golds since Bob Richards in 1952 and 1956.
Since July 2023, Duplantis has maintained an impressive record, winning 18 consecutive meets in the pole vault, according to The Athletic. Reflecting on his success, he stated, “It’s hard to understand honestly — if I don’t beat this moment in my career, then I’m pretty ok with that.”
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Duplantis chose to represent Sweden in competitions because of his mother’s background. She was an international volleyball player and heptathlete for Sweden during the 1980s. Duplantis shared, “I kind of handed in my American card when I decided to compete for Sweden… I don’t regret it at all.”
His pole vaulting journey began at a young age, starting in the living room with makeshift setups. His family later built a pole vault apparatus in their backyard, with both his parents actively involved in his training. His father, Greg Duplantis, is a former All-SEC pole vaulter and serves as Mondo’s technical coach.
After achieving his latest world record, Mondo joyfully embraced his family in the stands, marking a heartwarming moment in his victory.
Not only does Duplantis excel in athletics, but he’s also captured attention for his looks, drawing comparisons to various actors such as Timothée Chalamet and Cillian Murphy. His girlfriend, Desiré Inglander, a Swedish model, was present in Paris to support him during this historic event.
Duplantis showcased a flair for the dramatic, opting to pursue the world record even after securing the gold medal. He successfully cleared 6.10 meters to establish the Olympic record and then made three attempts to break his own world record, ultimately succeeding on his third try.
As he celebrated his monumental achievement, he noted the electric atmosphere, saying, “The crowd was going crazy… It sounded like an American football game.”