Armand Duplantis left the Sports Gala without a single prize.
Wrong, thinks Jacob Hård.
– It feels very strange, he says in Studio Ett.
Criticism of this year’s Sports Gala has at times been massive. Most talk has been about the fact that Armand Duplantis, coming off a year in which he won World Cup gold and broke a world record in the same competition, did not receive a single award.
Harsh criticism
Many saw him as the big favorite for the Jerring Prize and Male Athlete of the Year, but both times Nils van der Poel won instead. It caused, among others, DN’s columnist Johan Esk to react strongly. In a column, he described the whole thing as “a classic turkey”, and he believed that it should not be possible for an athlete of Mondo’s stature to walk away without a prize from a Swedish gala.
And he now gets the support of one of Sweden’s most popular sports profiles. Jacob Hård also believes that Mondo deserved an award for its fantastic year.
– I agree with Johan completely. I think it feels very strange that Armand Duplantis didn’t get an award, after what he did in 2022, I have to say that, he says in Studio Ett.
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“Can screw that up”
At the same time, Jacob Hård says that he understands that Nils van der Poel wins awards, and that it is part of Sweden’s culture.
– I can like that in and of itself, that each country has its own sports culture. We love, among other things, our winter sports. An orienteer can become the best in the country, even though the international competition in those sports is not at all what it is in the major sports. I like it, and I think it should be like that, he says, and continues:
– But when you are at the level that Armand Duplanits is, I still think you should get something.
Jacob Hård also tries to explain why Nils van der Poel won.
– The deciding factor is that what Nils van der Poel did was extraordinary. But then also that he does it in a sport that has led a thawing existence, and that he is the personality he is, and that he does it the way he does, of course matters.
However, Jacob Hård would like the Sports Gala to review its jury for the coming year, and how to choose the prize winners:
– The jury doesn’t talk to each other when they make their choices, and then it can be like it was yesterday, that van der Poel wins everything. Had one sat and watched the whole thing, and then seen: “No, but wait now.” Is this really going to be right?” So they could probably screw it up a bit.
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