It has been a tough period, admits Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, on site in Birmingham where he is chasing his fourth consecutive European Championship gold medal outdoors.
Big competitions, weddings, an injury, his grandmother passing away and a lot of travelling.
But when the gang on the side of the track comes up, the friends who usually join in to celebrate his successes, quite loudly, the world record holder laughs heartily.
I don't think they're here. Some will come to Budapest later (for the competition in September), I know, but not all... I have too many "party boys" actually, says Duplantis with a big smile and continues:
I really have too many, I probably need to get rid of some!
“I’ve heard stories”
However, he himself believes that he doesn't have to look very far outside his own sport to find other partygoers in his area. Although it is said that in the past it was other athletes who were responsible for the wildest parties, Duplantis believes that the baton has been passed on today.
I've heard a lot of stories about how they were in all the castes before. Yeah, but you know, like in my dad's time, "back in the days," he says.
But today, it is instead the pole vaulters who have taken over that role on trips and at the championships, according to Duplantis.
“Know that I am the best”
"I think now it's the pole vaulters. We live more of the rockstar life than the others do. The pole vaulters are the ones you'll see partying afterwards in the hotel lobby," says Duplantis.
Despite a busy schedule and a lot of life around him, Mondo feels hungry and ready for the European Championships. And even though the party crowd is in the back of his mind, when it comes down to it, his focus is rock-solid on the bar.
"I know I'm the best in the world. I'm going to show it," he says.
The pole vault qualifiers begin at 11:50 on Friday. The finals are at 20:30 on Sunday.
