Morning-tired Duplantis ready for the final: "It was early"

The qualification at Stade de France was child's play for Armand Duplantis. Worse was the early wake-up call. I'm not used to getting up so early, says the star after securing a spot in the Olympic Games final.

» Updated:

» Published:

Morning-tired Duplantis ready for the final: "It was early"
Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

Share this article

The pole vault qualification began at 10:10, which meant that Armand Duplantis had to get up significantly earlier than he prefers to do.

As early as 06:30, the alarm clock rang at the 24-year-old's hotel, an early wake-up call that he felt during the qualification.

It was early in the morning and it's not so pleasant for the body. I don't usually get up that early, but much later, he says.

But I tried to make it as easy as possible, just do two jumps and save energy for the final.

Easy qualification for Duplantis

If the wake-up call was tough, the qualification was something else for Duplantis.

The star cleared the entry height of 5.40, stepped in at 5.60 – which he was highly, highly above – and then cleared 5.75 just as easily. That's what was needed to secure a spot in the final on Monday.

It felt good, it was easy enough, he says.

Duplantis' plan for the qualification involved a lot of downtime.

He had 50 minutes until his first jump and then had to wait 75 minutes for the next one.

In the meantime, he took in the atmosphere at the arena.

It's the craziest thing I've ever experienced, especially when it comes to qualification. I can't even imagine how it's going to be at the final, he says.

I think they went too hard on Thibaut (Collet), they probably scared him. When he jumped, it shook in there.

Home jumper Collet did not advance to the final, he stopped at 5.70 after ripping three times at 5.75. American Christopher Nielsen, OS silver medalist in Tokyo 2021, also failed to clear, only managing 5.40.

Aiming for gold

Armand Duplantis is in Paris to defend his gold from Tokyo – and is perhaps the most obvious gold candidate in the Olympic Games.

He has long been superior, winning all the competitions he participates in and constantly pushing the world record.

The big question is how high the 24-year-old will jump.

Last time he jumped on a similar surface was in the Diamond League premiere in China.

In Xiamen, he cleared 6.24, the current world record.

He himself is not quite there. He thinks first and foremost about winning.

That's the most important thing, to bring home the gold.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Armand Duplantis Earns Big with World Championship Gold and Record

Armand Duplantis Earns Big with World Championship Gold and Record

Duplantis' Secret to Success: Special Spiked Shoes Boost Performance

Duplantis' Secret to Success: Special Spiked Shoes Boost Performance

Tom Brady Returns to Play Flag Football in Saudi Arabia 2026

Tom Brady Returns to Play Flag Football in Saudi Arabia 2026

Duplantis Celebrated Globally for Historic Pole Vault Achievement

Duplantis Celebrated Globally for Historic Pole Vault Achievement

Leidhammar's Goal Leads Norrköping to Victory Over Djurgården

Leidhammar's Goal Leads Norrköping to Victory Over Djurgården

Heintz Leads Göteborg to 2-1 Victory Over Häcken Despite Criticism

Heintz Leads Göteborg to 2-1 Victory Over Häcken Despite Criticism

16-Year-Old Kevin Filling Secures AIK's Victory in Stockholm Derby

16-Year-Old Kevin Filling Secures AIK's Victory in Stockholm Derby

Italian Skier Matteo Franzoso Dies After Training Crash

Italian Skier Matteo Franzoso Dies After Training Crash

NHL Legend Ed Giacomin Passes Away at 86

NHL Legend Ed Giacomin Passes Away at 86

Duplantis Sets World Record and Wins Gold at Tokyo Championships

Duplantis Sets World Record and Wins Gold at Tokyo Championships

Duplantis Wins Twelve Gold Medals from Berlin to Tokyo

Duplantis Wins Twelve Gold Medals from Berlin to Tokyo

Sam Kendricks Praises Armand Duplantis' Pole Vault Record

Sam Kendricks Praises Armand Duplantis' Pole Vault Record

Armand Duplantis Sets 14th Pole Vault World Record

Armand Duplantis Sets 14th Pole Vault World Record

El Bakkali Loses World Championship Gold in Final Meters

El Bakkali Loses World Championship Gold in Final Meters

Swedes in Top Teams as Men's Champions League Kicks Off

Swedes in Top Teams as Men's Champions League Kicks Off

Pihlström Advances to 1,500m Final at World Championship in Tokyo

Pihlström Advances to 1,500m Final at World Championship in Tokyo

Armand Duplantis Wins Third World Championship Gold with New Record

Armand Duplantis Wins Third World Championship Gold with New Record

Thobias Montler Advances to World Championship Final Seeking Redemption

Thobias Montler Advances to World Championship Final Seeking Redemption

Pro-Palestinian Protests Disrupt Tour of Spain Cycling Race

Pro-Palestinian Protests Disrupt Tour of Spain Cycling Race

Edlund Sets Personal Best to Reach World Championship Semifinal

Edlund Sets Personal Best to Reach World Championship Semifinal