The pole vaulting elite has a unique community. The stars talk friendly to each other during competitions and championships where they cheer each other on, and are genuinely happy if a rival manages to clear a height.
– It was kind of the same as it is now when my father (Greg) jumped in the 80s and 90s. We are a small group, everyone helps each other. There are several people who leave their poles here in Uppsala and Stockholm, and those poles I travel with and carry to the next competition, says Armand Duplantis.
Hear Armand Duplantis talk about the friendship among the pole vault stars in the player above.