SAINT-DENIS, France—Armand “Mondo” Duplantis raised the roof at the Stade de France. The stadium may still be trembling.
“Mondo” Duplantis set a new pole vault world record of 6.25m/20-6 on his third and last try at 10:15 p.m. in Paris. His eighth world record came shortly after he set a new Olympic record of 6.10 meters (20 feet).
It was indeed a fantastic and magnificent show. Sam Kendricks claimed silver in the dangerous, high-flying event at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, but he won a gold medal for the second time.
“It’s hard to understand, honestly, but if I don’t beat this moment in my career, I’m fine with that,” Duplantis told Team USA following his remarkable world-record effort. “I don’t think you’ll get any better after what just happened. It’s wonderful. “I am a happy man.”
Mondo’s world record attempt was significantly delayed as Noah Lyles darted around the track after winning the 100-meter gold medal near the night’s end. Duplantis waited patiently, concentrated again, and delivered.
“To jump a world record, you pretty much have to be perfect,” the athlete stated. Honestly, I wanted to be as accessible as possible. I had nothing to lose. “I hit it well.”
Duplantis became the first pole vaulter to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals since “The Reverend” Bob Richards did so for the United States in 1952 and 1956.
Kendricks was the closest competitor to the Swedish phenomenon, vaulting a season-best 5.95m to take silver and add to his bronze medal from eight years ago at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016.
“This medal was joyous—tonight was lovely. It was everything that I thought an Olympics should be,” remarked a smiling and media-friendly Kendricks. The night on the track was exceptional.”
The 24-year-old Swedish-American pole vault superstar stunned, defying gravity and all expectations of what the human body should be capable of, repeatedly and effortlessly leaping skyward into the French night on a flexible fiberglass pole.
“I hate that we lost him to Sweden; I wish we could get him back to America one of these days,” Kendricks says half-jokingly about Duplantis, a dual citizen who grew up in Louisiana and Sweden.
Duplantis secured his second consecutive Olympic gold medal after Kendricks retired from the three-hour competition after three unsuccessful attempts at 6.00m, which seemed like a long time ago.
An Improvement Of “Mondo” From Rio 2016, And Redemption After Tokyo 2020.
For the 31-year-old American from Oxford, Mississippi, his silver medal comes eight years after his first Olympic medal, winning bronze in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.
“At the end of the day, I’m on the track, I’m bleeding, and the end of the story is Mondo set the world record, but I snared myself a silver medal along the way,” Kendricks said, presenting his hand to reporters and referring to spiking his hand on his initial 6.00m try.
Kendricks’ outstanding accomplishment comes three years after he was quarantined following a positive COVID-19 test in Tokyo 2020, forcing the six-time US national champion to miss Japan’s Olympic pole vault competition.
“A great man once told me that you don’t go to the Olympics to win,” she added. “You go to represent.” Team USA, we battle for the right to wear this flag. It’s a hard-fight privilege. Tokyo (2020) hurts.
Kendricks found himself in a tough spot after missing an awkward-looking initial effort at 5.85m. As Duplantis and four of his friends and competitors sailed over the height, the two-time world champion was obliged to pass it and try his luck at 5.90m. He was in sixth place, with a big hill to climb.
“It’s a risk-based event—you have to guess what will happen in the end because your efforts in the beginning make such an impact,” the actress said.
“Making a pass is a move I pulled eight years ago in Rio—I missed 5.75m on my first attempt and went to 5.85m, clearing it on a first because I knew my second leap would be a good one and put me in medal position.”
Lightning struck twice in Rio and Paris. The resilient veteran athlete recovered immediately, becoming the first to clear 5.90m and regaining the silver medal, while Mondo passed, not wanting to overwork himself on an 80-degree Monday evening.
Kendricks, who appeared to be in trouble, suddenly vaulted 5.95m, setting a season record. He sprinted out of the pits, breaking into a gallop and celebrating ecstatically.
“I had to pull off one more Herculean effort at 5.95 to seal the deal and put real pressure on ‘Mannouli’ because then we had to go to 6, and it’s a real dogfight,” Kendricks said, referring to Greek bronze medalist Emmananouli Karalis.
What a spectacular and fantastic night for Mondo, Kendricks, Karalis, and the tight-knit group of brothers who boldly launch themselves into the sky. Sixty-nine thousand people danced in the Stade de France as ABBA’s ‘Dancing Queen’ blared throughout, feel-good music from Sweden’s popular 1980s band, a perfect tribute to the rock star pole vaulter.
“There were a lot of Swedish flags out there in the stands among the 70,000 – I felt more love and support than I could have ever imagined,” Duplantis told the crowd. “I’m going to enjoy this one tonight; you don’t have to worry about that.”
Mondo, Kendricks, and Karalis proved that ‘the sky is the limit,’ as pole vaulters frequently say. The Duplantis dynasty is alive and well and will only grow quicker, stronger, and higher.
In conclusion, Armand “Mondo” Duplantis’ world record-breaking effort, gold medal defense, and Sam Kendricks’ outstanding silver medal finish have left an indelible impact on the Paris Olympics. Their feats in pole vaulting demonstrate their incredible talent and determination, and their performances will be remembered as watershed moments in the sport.
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