He was Armand Duplanti’s great idol.
Now Renaud Lavillenie says that the Swede pleaded with him to stay in the arena.
– He does something crazy and it’s always fun to be there and see him do it, says the Frenchman.
Shooting star Armand Duplantis continues to push the limits in the pole vault. The 22-year-old wins competition after competition, and breaks record after record that no one else has done before.
“Mondo’s” appeal
Before the world championship in Eugene, USA, “Mondo” had won almost everything there is to win. The only thing missing was an outdoor WC gold, and given the Swede’s total dominance in recent years, he was the clear favorite to complete the trophy cabinet.
When the competition started, there was no doubt that “Mondo” would win. He was the only one over six meters, set a new championship record of 6.06 meters and then broke a new world record of a whopping 6.21 meters.
French pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie sat on the side and watched. The Frenchman was Duplanti’s great idol growing up, and when the bar was over six meters, and Laviellenie was knocked out, “Mondo” pleaded with him to stay and watch.
“I’m super happy”
– I had no choice but to stay and check. From the six-meter shop, “Mondo” asked me to stay and check and be there for him. He does something crazy and it’s always fun to be there and see him do it, he tells SVT Sport.
Laviellenie talks about the relationship with Duplantis, and how it has changed considerably in recent years:
– We have a special relationship. It’s something good. It’s more than just sports. I was the “star” for a few years, now he is. I’m super happy to see him shine, he says and continues:
– There are probably 13 years between us. Most people my age do something else, but I just try to keep going.
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