Rain and cold put a stop to record heights at Stockholm's stadium for the world's best pole vaulters. Armand Duplantis had to settle for 5.80 meters after three failed attempts at 6.03.
It's pretty tough on the legs and I was pretty cautious, says Duplantis about the conditions on Saturday evening.
"Will coach"
He was already looking forward to Sunday. Then little sister Johanna Duplantis, 22, will make her debut in the Swedish national team jersey when she represents Sweden in the women's pole vault.
Then the world star plans to take a seat in the stands, but not just as a spectator.
I will coach. That's my main goal tomorrow. I will also cheer on the team, he says.
But don't expect any flamboyant gestures or loud cheers from Duplantis.
I like to keep a low profile, I don't like to shout. I don't want to be in the center, I get enough attention on my own, says the 25-year-old.
He thinks mom Helena will be the most nervous.
It's super special for the family. My mom is probably more nervous than ever. It's something that has awakened in her now that my sister has started taking it (the competition) more seriously.
Johanna Duplantis has improved her personal record by 39 centimeters this season and with 4.39 meters she is Sweden's second-best this year after Kajsa Roth (4.42), who is also competing in Stockholm.
His best tip to his sister is to dare to throw herself into deep water.
That's the only little tip I can give. It's going to be tough for her and there will be a lot of nerves to try to control, but the only way to overcome it is to expose yourself to such situations, says Duplantis.
Not mentally there
It was only the Finn Urho Kujanpää and the Swede William Asker left in the competition when Armand Duplantis entered the pole vault competition at 5.52 meters.
The warm-up pants were still on when Duplantis flew high over the bar and secured the event victory. It's a good bit under his world record of 6.29, which the 25-year-old set in Budapest in the middle of August.
He took 5.80 and then tried to improve his Finnkamp record from 2019 (6.00), but it became three failed attempts at 6.03.
I put up the bar, but mentally I couldn't really give it a try.
