"Mondo" is surprised at how much reaction the debut single "Bop", which was released a couple of weeks ago, has created.
My phone "blew up". It's been very fun. It's a huge vulnerable thing to do, says the reigning Olympic champion and world record holder and continues:
One opens up to criticism in a completely different way than I'm used to. Not everyone will love the music. That's how it is with music. Not everyone needs to love it either. But it's not that easy to talk trash about how I pole vault. Because it's pretty black and white: I'm very good at pole vault.
How many negative comments have you gotten?
Not that many. Not that I'm complaining. But it's more than when I pole vault, so it's a hundred percent, much more. But it's not like I'm sad or that I'm complaining.
The song is not Sam Kendricks', who is seven years older than Duplantis, kind of music. But he thinks it's telling of how "Mondo" is.
About the fiancée
It's nice music. Good for parties, good for relaxing. A bit romantic. I think "Des" appreciates it more than anyone else. When I hear the song, I think he's singing about her, summer evenings in Sweden and that kind of stuff. It's something good and that's how music should be, says the American.
Armand Duplantis admits that the song is about his fiancée Desiré Inglander.
Of course, from my perspective, it's about "Dessie". But it's also just a song. The song isn't that deep, it's more vibes. It's "Bop".
Helena Duplantis, mom and coach, thinks that the music can give distance to pole vaulting.
"My biggest dream"
It's a good thing for him. He loves to just relax and do something else. I'm just glad it's not some crazy sport that some others are into: speedway, motorcycles and that kind of stuff so you get hurt, says she.
On Thursday evening, "Mondo" is chasing the height of 6.28 meters and his twelfth world record in his own pole vault gala in Uppsala. The Swedish-American has never set a world record on Swedish soil.
I think it's the only distinction that's missing right now. My biggest dream is to jump a world record here in Sweden. We're keeping our fingers crossed, says he.
February 28 (Clermont-Ferrand, France): 6,27 meters.
August 25, 2024 (Chorzow, Poland): 6,26.
August 5, 2024 (Paris, Olympic Games): 6,25.
April 20, 2024 (Xiamen, China): 6,24.
September 17, 2023 (Eugene, USA, Diamond League final): 6,23.
February 25, 2023 (Clermont-Ferrand): 6,22.
July 24, 2022 (Eugene, World Championship): 6,21.
March 20, 2022 (Belgrade, indoor World Championship): 6,20.
March 7, 2022 (Belgrade): 6,19.
February 15, 2020 (Glasgow): 6,18.
February 8, 2020 (Torun, Poland): 6,17.
