Armand Duplantis is one of athletics’ absolute greatest.
But in the United States, he can move around completely undisturbed.
– I’m like a double agent, he says.
In the last two seasons, Armand Duplantis has on two paltry occasions gone home from a competition without having done so as a winner. It says a lot about Mondo’s total dominance in the pole vault, where he is already, despite his young age, the best pole vaulter of all time.
Unexpected reaction in the US
With several world records in his bag, and with several major championship golds already secured, he is a giant, and it really shows when he moves between competitions. After the WC gold in Budapest last summer, for example, Duplantis had a hard time even getting out of the arena, as everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the star.
Father Greg, who is also Duplanti’s trainer, testifies that it is so steady and constant. Every airport, around every competition, the people flock around his son. Therefore, a trip to the USA is almost like a vacation, in many ways.
– There is such chaos in Europe, so it will be a break for him to come to the United States. The sport is not nearly as big there, so it will be a nice break, says Greg to Expressen.
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“I don’t want to complain”
In the United States, hardly anyone notices Armand Duplantis. There he can spend time with friends, play golf and exercise – without being disturbed.
– I don’t want to complain about my situation, it’s very cool and can be very heartwarming to see many people support me and what I do. I live two different lives in a way. I’m like a double agent, he says of the cool reaction in the United States.
Armand Duplantis believes that in a sense he is like the TV character “Hannah Montana”, played by Miley Cyrus.
– Yes, but kind of. A little. The pole vault version, haha. No, but it’s nice to have a balance. Both are good now and then, but it’s good that I have both parts. I need both.
READ MORE: Armand Duplanti’s beautiful gesture to his young teammate in the Finnkampen deserves to be praised: “It was really cool”