Armand Duplantis has once again etched his name into the annals of athletics history. The exceptional pole vaulter delivered an astonishing performance at the Diamond League meeting held in Stockholm, where he broke the world record for the 12th time. The 25-year-old reigning Olympic champion accomplished this remarkable feat in front of a jubilant home crowd at the legendary Olympic Stadium, clearing an impressive height of 6.28 meters—a stunning realization of both personal ambition and sporting excellence.
Duplantis, who was born in the United States but represents Sweden in international competitions, conducted his full-spectrum performance amidst an electrifying atmosphere, bolstered by a passionate and vocal crowd cheering him on. With relative ease, he secured victory and extended his record-breaking legacy, surpassing his prior milestone set just months earlier in February by an extraordinary margin of one centimeter. The scintillating contest saw the Australian contender, Kurtis Marschall, trailing far behind, with a respectable but ultimately inadequate jump of 5.90 meters, highlighting the gulf between Duplantis’s talents and those of his competitors.
In the aftermath of his record-setting performance, Duplantis expressed his deep satisfaction during an interview published by Reuters. He articulated the significance of achieving this world record at home, stating, “This was one of my biggest goals and dreams, to set a world record here at Stadion. It’s like the Olympics and Stadion; they’re the same level for me.” The emotional connection to his family, who were present to witness this milestone, added to the magic of the day. “I really wanted to do it. I had my whole family here, from both sides; it’s magic, it’s magic,” he emphasized, encapsulating the essence of his triumph.
Yet, even with the gravitational pressure of such an important event, Duplantis displayed a profound sense of determination. He candidly admitted, “Every time I broke the world record, I felt it in my first jump that ‘this could be the day’, but today it felt a little tougher.” Despite a challenging start, where he felt less than at his best, the pole vault prodigy found the strength to focus his efforts and achieve the historic jump. “It didn’t feel that natural from the beginning…but I only needed one,” he stated, underscoring his indomitable spirit and focus.
His elation was palpable, as he described the euphoric feeling akin to his first world record: “I almost couldn’t believe it, it felt like the very first time I broke the record. For me, I’m still a little hazy in my mind; it feels unreal.” The emotional payload of achieving such a high milestone illuminated his thoughts, as he grappled with the magnitude of the moment. “I’m just so happy, it’s a cloud-nine feeling. It’s hard to explain, it’s hard to compare; it felt a bit like the Olympics,” he reflected, drawing parallels to the extraordinary experiences of competing on the biggest stages in sport.
Meanwhile, the night was filled with even more inspiring performances. Swedish athlete Andreas Almgren shone brightly of his own, setting a new European record in the men’s 500 meters with a blistering time of 44.27 seconds. Additionally, British success came in the form of Georgia Hunter-Bell, who dominated the women’s 800 meters, clinching victory with an impressive time of 1:57.66.
Yet the achievements didn’t stop there; Amber Anning finished strong, taking third place in the women’s 400 meters and achieving her best time of the season at 10.93 seconds. Further, athletes Innes Fitzgerald and Hannah Nuttall raised their own benchmarks in the women’s 3000 meters, finishing third and fourth, respectively, while obliterating their personal bests.
In summary, the events at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm not only celebrated Duplantis’s record-breaking achievement but also highlighted a wider panorama of thrilling athletic performances. Fans were treated to a rich tapestry of sporting excellence, showcasing the power, determination, and spirit that the world of athletics embodies. For those eager to witness such high-octane action, there remains the opportunity to catch all of the best sporting moments live and on-demand via discovery+.