Another great competition, but no world record: star expected from Liévin's meeting, the Swedish Armand Duplantis flew over the debates but did not continue his incredible series of pole records. After having crossed 6.17 m in Torun (Poland) on February 8, then 6.18 m a week later in Glasgow, "Mondo", 20 years old, created a lot of expectations for the northern public.
Three failed trials at 6.19 m
Up to 6.07 m, cleared without shaking, and while his American rival Sam Kendricks had retired after a first failure at 5.95 m, Duplantis who was born and raised in the United States, the country of his father, seemed to be spinning towards a new record. At the sound of the song Levels by his compatriot Avicii, request made by the athlete to accompany his attempts at 6.19 m, he did not succeed in his mission despite a beautiful second jump, where the bar trembled before falling. "My legs have left me a little," reacted the Swede in the mixed zone after his competition, after having supported the American Sandi Morris on the edge of the track.
Less expected, the pole vaulter also attempted a world record, indoors this one, a few seconds after Duplantis. Victorious in the competition with 4.83 m, she then attempted 5.03 m, which would have equaled the mark established by her compatriot Jennifer Suhr in 2016. She too failed but her first attempt, well underway, proved that she had the potential to achieve such a performance.
"There, I have no more energy"
"Two simultaneous world record pole attempts are something we will probably never see again. It was a very cool moment even if we did not succeed, ”reacted Duplantis. Smiling despite his failure, he now projects himself to the All star perch on Sunday in Clermont, a competition organized by Renaud Lavillenie, the former holder of the best world performance. "There, I have no more energy, but Sunday will be fine. I can't promise anything but make sure you don't miss the competition, ”he concluded.
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