"Incredible ability to sit and chat nonsense..."

From nonsense talk and laughter to maximum concentration and great heights. Armand Duplantis has the ability to shift focus when it really matters. That makes him unique, says national team captain Kajsa Bergqvist ahead of Monday's Olympic Games final in pole vault.

» Updated: September 19 2024

» Published: August 04 2024

"Incredible ability to sit and chat nonsense..."
Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

Armand Duplantis chose to opt out of the Olympic Village to stay at a hotel in Paris. Partly to be close to his parents, Helena and Greg, and partly to get peace and quiet before what awaits at Stade de France.

There, the star will defend his gold from Tokyo.

"Full respect"

For Kajsa Bergqvist, the choice of accommodation was no big deal.

As a team captain, you would like to have your biggest star in the village and close to the team, but now he will come and eat and hang out, and that part is fine. He has done this setup before; sometimes he has lived with the team, sometimes not, she says.

He wants to make his preparations that maximize the chance of bringing home the gold. I have full respect for that.

Did you discuss this before the Olympic Games?

Yes, we did, and we have done so before several championships. This is nothing unique.

He is a megastar, not just within athletics. It's important that there is no energy leakage for him, by being in the village with everyone who wants to take selfies and chat... I think it's good that he finds his way.

What can be considered unique, however, is Armand Duplantis' ability to shift focus, says Bergqvist.

She has seen up close how he has performed at the top despite pressured situations and high expectations.

A large part of the success is about the 24-year-old's ability to shift focus.

He has an incredible ability to sit and chat nonsense with a colleague at the pole vault in one second, and then be in the zone the next. To be able to switch on and off, in combination with technique and physical talent, to be a competitor and rise to the occasion – that makes him unique, she says.

Clear gold favorite

Armand Duplantis secured a spot in the final by easily advancing from the qualifying round, and on Monday evening, he will enter Stade de France again to defend his gold from Tokyo 2021.

Then – and as always nowadays – he is, from the outside, the given winner beforehand.

Kajsa Bergqvist is quick to say: "nothing is given".

He needs to have his day and it needs to be right. Then no one else should come and set personal records with a lot and have their lifetime moment.

At the same time, she is clear: Armand Duplantis is a clear gold favorite.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Kinhult Slips to 45th After
1 MIN READ

Kinhult Slips to 45th After Tough Round in New Delhi Golf Event

Four Arrested After Football Fan
1 MIN READ

Four Arrested After Football Fan Clash in Stockholm

Ebba Andersson Triumphs in Reistadløpet,
2 MIN READ

Ebba Andersson Triumphs in Reistadløpet, Leaving Nilsson Behind

Leo Carlsson Shines with Four
1 MIN READ

Leo Carlsson Shines with Four Points in Anaheim's Overtime Victory

Teen Tennis Star Mensik Reaches
1 MIN READ

Teen Tennis Star Mensik Reaches Miami Final After Meeting Messi

Erik Mobärg Celebrates Podium Finish
1 MIN READ

Erik Mobärg Celebrates Podium Finish at Idre World Cup Event

AIK Parts Ways with Sports
2 MIN READ

AIK Parts Ways with Sports Manager Berntsen Before Season Opener

Coach Anders Torstensson Embraces Life
3 MIN READ

Coach Anders Torstensson Embraces Life with Cancer While Leading Mjällby

Swedish Duo Olofsson and Karlsson
1 MIN READ

Swedish Duo Olofsson and Karlsson Lead Vegas to Victory Over Chicago

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina to
1 MIN READ

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina to Compete Under Australian Flag

Brazil Parts Ways with Coach
1 MIN READ

Brazil Parts Ways with Coach Dorival Júnior After Argentina Defeat

Pontus Andreasson Leads Luleå to
3 MIN READ

Pontus Andreasson Leads Luleå to Semifinals with Overtime Win

Swedish Ice Dance Duo Falls
1 MIN READ

Swedish Ice Dance Duo Falls Short of World Championship Final

Sweden Dominates Finland 8-3 in
1 MIN READ

Sweden Dominates Finland 8-3 in Bandy World Championship Preview

Brynäs Triumphs Over Malmö 3-2
2 MIN READ

Brynäs Triumphs Over Malmö 3-2 Without Captain Larsson

Genre image
1 MIN READ

IFK Göteborg Mourns Passing of Club Legend Nils "Tidan" Johansson

Usyk Eyes Boxing Return to
1 MIN READ

Usyk Eyes Boxing Return to Support Ukraine and Reclaim Title

Swedish Duo Hellvig and Åhman
2 MIN READ

Swedish Duo Hellvig and Åhman Shine in Beach Volleyball World Championship

Bayern Munich Considers Legal Action
1 MIN READ

Bayern Munich Considers Legal Action Against Canada Over Davies Injury

SHL Schedules Urgent Meeting Over
1 MIN READ

SHL Schedules Urgent Meeting Over Referee Criticism in Playoffs

Swedish Top League to Implement
1 MIN READ

Swedish Top League to Implement Personal Tickets to Curb Hooliganism

Allsvenskan Kicks Off: What to
3 MIN READ

Allsvenskan Kicks Off: What to Expect in the Premiere Round

Swedish F1 Prospect Dino Beganovic
2 MIN READ

Swedish F1 Prospect Dino Beganovic Joins Hamilton in Bahrain Practice

Dani Alves Cleared of Rape
1 MIN READ

Dani Alves Cleared of Rape Charge Due to Insufficient Evidence

Carlo Ancelotti Faces Trial for
2 MIN READ

Carlo Ancelotti Faces Trial for Tax Fraud in Spain

Swedish Footballers Flee Bangkok Quake:
2 MIN READ

Swedish Footballers Flee Bangkok Quake: A Harrowing Escape

Samuelsson Withdraws from Swedish Championship
1 MIN READ

Samuelsson Withdraws from Swedish Championship Due to Sore Throat

Finnvedsvallen Cleared for IFK Värnamo's
1 MIN READ

Finnvedsvallen Cleared for IFK Värnamo's Allsvenskan Opener

German Ski Jumper Philipp Raimund
1 MIN READ

German Ski Jumper Philipp Raimund Skips Planica Due to Fear of Heights

Färjestad's Viktor Lodin Suspended, to
1 MIN READ

Färjestad's Viktor Lodin Suspended, to Miss Key Quarterfinal Match

Nylander Sets New Personal Best,
1 MIN READ

Nylander Sets New Personal Best, Eyes Loob's Swedish Goal Record

Hedman Shines as Tampa Bay
1 MIN READ

Hedman Shines as Tampa Bay Dominates Utah with 8-0 Victory

Swedish Football Faces Sponsorship Challenges
2 MIN READ

Swedish Football Faces Sponsorship Challenges Over Fan Conduct

Maradona's Agonizing Final Hours Highlighted
1 MIN READ

Maradona's Agonizing Final Hours Highlighted in Trial Testimony

Djokovic Advances to Miami Semifinals,
1 MIN READ

Djokovic Advances to Miami Semifinals, Sets New Masters Record

Färjestad Faces Quarterfinal Exit After
2 MIN READ

Färjestad Faces Quarterfinal Exit After Controversial Loss to Skellefteå

AIK Forces Decisive Game 7
2 MIN READ

AIK Forces Decisive Game 7 Against Björklöven in Hockey Allsvenskan

Björn Scores as Chelsea Overcomes
2 MIN READ

Björn Scores as Chelsea Overcomes Man City to Reach Champions League Semis

Shiffrin Clinches 101st World Cup
2 MIN READ

Shiffrin Clinches 101st World Cup Win as Swedes Struggle in Sun Valley

Nordebäck Secures Spot in World
1 MIN READ

Nordebäck Secures Spot in World Championship Final in Boston