Armand Duplantis, the Swedish pole vaulting sensation, has once again etched his name in the annals of sporting history by breaking his own world record and securing the Olympic gold medal in Paris.
In a thrilling climax to the fifth day of track and field at the Stade de France, Duplantis soared over the bar set at an astonishing 6.25 meters, surpassing his previous best of 6.24m set in April. The crowd of 69,000 erupted in thunderous applause as the 24-year-old star shattered the world record by 1cm.
Duplantis’s triumph was not only a testament to his exceptional athleticism but also a display of his unwavering determination. It marked the ninth time the US-born Swede had broken the record, cementing his status as one of the greatest pole vaulters of all time.
In the competition, American Sam Kendricks claimed the silver medal with a best of 5.95m, while Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis took bronze (5.90) on countback. Duplantis’s gold medal made him the first man to retain the pole vault title since American Bob Richards in 1952 and 1956.
After his historic victory, Duplantis celebrated in a unique way, mimicking the shooting pose of Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, who had gone viral on social media for his casual celebration after winning a silver medal in the Paris Games. Dikec himself took to Twitter to congratulate Duplantis, adding to the camaraderie and sportsmanship on display.
Duplantis described his record-breaking performance as an “out-of-body experience.” He expressed his gratitude for the support of the crowd, saying, “The biggest dream since a kid was to break the world record at the Olympics, and I’ve been able to do that in front of the most ridiculous crowd I’ve ever competed in front of.”
As he made an emotional lap of the track, draped in the Swedish flag and with Abba’s “Dancing Queen” playing in the background, Duplantis rang the victory bell, symbolizing another exceptional display from the irrepressible young athlete.
Duplantis’s victory was not only a personal triumph but also a moment of national pride for Sweden. The country’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, tweeted, “Congratulations to Armand Duplantis on his fantastic world record and Olympic gold! What an incredible achievement!”
The Swedish pole vaulting star’s success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in his abilities. His record-breaking performance in Paris will undoubtedly inspire future generations of athletes and leave a lasting legacy in the sport.
