Mondo Duplantis has finally taken center stage. The formalities on the track are over, with Keely Hodgkinson and Noah Lyles having already received their gold medals. 

Now, all eyes are on the 24-year-old from Sweden, poised to attempt a world-record-breaking vault with the bar set at 6.25 meters.Duplantis had already secured his gold medal, his second consecutive Olympic win, with a jump of 6.00 meters. 

However, the audience was more interested in witnessing history rather than his victory. With 18 consecutive meet wins, nine of the ten highest vaults in history, and eight world records in four years, Duplantis’s standards are set extraordinarily high.

The Final Challenge

The night’s excitement culminated in Duplantis’s challenge against gravity and his own previous world record of 6.24 meters, set just four months ago. 

His first two attempts were unsuccessful, but the anticipation only grew. Breaking a world record at the Olympics would cement these Games in history and bring unparalleled attention to the sport of pole vaulting.

The Journey to Excellence

Pole vaulting is a sport many find difficult to understand or perform. Mondo Duplantis, who began vaulting at age four under the guidance of his pole vaulter father, embodies the dedication required to excel in this field. 

His journey involves immense skill, perfect physical conditioning, and a unique ability to respond to the pole’s “feel” as he vaults.

A Charismatic Champion

Duplantis stands out not only for his athletic prowess but also for his charismatic persona. With his distinctive style, he can elevate the pole vault’s popularity, much like Sergey Bubka did before him. 

Both athletes have broken the world record numerous times, but neither managed to do so at the Olympics—until now.

The Climactic Moment

As Mondo Duplantis prepared for his final attempt, the tension in the Stade de France was palpable. The stadium, filled with 80,000 spectators, fell silent as he readied himself. 

With a designer suitcase instead of a backpack, Duplantis’s confidence was evident even in his warm-up routine. He cleared 5.70 meters effortlessly, skipped 5.80 meters, and vaulted 5.85 meters with ease.

The competition intensified as Sam Kendricks of the United States and Emmanouil Karalis of Greece cleared 5.90 meters, celebrating with the crowd. Duplantis, however, bypassed 5.90 meters and cleared 5.95 meters with casual ease. 

Amidst the noise of other events, Duplantis shattered the Olympic record with a vault of 6.10 meters, but the night was far from over.

Making History

Finally, it was time for Duplantis’s third and final attempt at 6.25 meters. The crowd’s roar was immense, all focused on him. He set off, and in seconds, he achieved what seemed impossible: a new world record.

Reflecting on his achievement, Duplantis expressed his joy and disbelief. “I haven’t processed how fantastic that moment was. It’s such an out-of-body experience. It’s still hard to kind of land right now,” he said. Breaking a world record at the Olympics had been his dream since childhood, and he accomplished it in front of the most enthusiastic crowd he had ever seen.

Celebrating Victory

Duplantis also paid tribute to the support of the crowd, saying, “The crowd was going crazy. It sounded like an American football game. I tried to channel the energy everybody was giving me, and they were giving me a lot of it. It worked out.”

After breaking the record, Mondo Duplantis celebrated by mimicking the stylish shooting posture of Yusuf Dikec, a move that quickly went viral on social media. Dikec responded with a congratulatory post, further amplifying the moment’s significance.

A Legend in the Making

Mondo Duplantis’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics will be remembered as one of the greatest feats in pole vault history. With his new world record of 6.25 meters, Mondo Duplantis has not only secured his place in the annals of the sport but also inspired a new generation of athletes and fans worldwide.