Armand Duplantis is not only aiming for European Championship gold and a new world record.
But during the competition in Rome, he also needs to reach a certain height to sniff the star Miltiádis Tentóglou on a large sum of money.
– There will be no money for me, says the Greek long jumper.
On Monday, Armand Duplantis enters the athletics EC, with the pole vault qualifier. Duplantis is perhaps the biggest star in all of athletics, and always a huge favorite when championships are held. Duplantis has also made it a habit to set the bar for a new world record every time his competitors pulled out, but in this year’s EC he will be forced to a different set-up.
Mondo’s promise
For the first time ever, prize money is awarded during the championship, but gold is not enough to take part in the bonus. The International Association of Athletics Federations will have ten different groups, with several disciplines in each group, and where results for winners are rewarded with money. A total of SEK 570,000 is distributed to each group, and Duplantis has a golden opportunity to receive the huge sum.
With the Greek Miltiádis Tentóglou winning gold in the long jump with 8.65, Duplantis needs to jump 6.05 to get the juicy bonus. Duplantis usually skips that height to instead first jump the height required for the bonus. He also confirms that it is the plan during Wednesday’s final.
– The nice thing is that the pole vault is last, so you will know exactly what height is required to win over the other disciplines. So I’ll just jump exactly as high as I have to to win that money, says Duplantis to Aftonbladet.
“Come on…”
The Greek star Tentóglou is aware of who he is fighting for the money, and tells Aftonbladet that it has already been done.
– 6.05? Come on, Duplantis can easily fix that. There will be no money for me, he says.
In advance, 6.05 does not sound like an impossible task for Duplantis. He is in great shape and has said himself that he is capable of a new world record height of 6.25.
– The feeling is good. I feel energetic, in good shape and fit, says Duplantis.
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