Stenmark jumped a bit of pole in his early teens. But his elite career became, as is well known, in alpine skiing instead.
The Swede, who racked up World Cup victories as well as OS and World Championship medals in slalom and giant slalom, has after his career, among other things, won "Masters of Masters" and "Let's Dance".
But last year, he finally picked up pole vaulting again.
One year later, it was time for his World Championship debut, at the veteran World Championship in Gothenburg.
It didn't result in a medal, however. But Ingemar Stenmark had the biggest public support without competition.
It was beyond expectations that there were so many spectators and that they clapped and cheered for both me and the others, he says.
The biggest star of the veteran World Championship entered the pole vault at 2.70 meters and succeeded directly – equaled his season's best.
But then the alpine legend was in trouble. He failed his first attempt at 2.85. And the second.
Thanked the audience
But spurred on by the audience at Slottsskogsvallen – it was fully seated on the stand closest to the pole vault mat – the 68-year-old managed to clear it in his last attempt.
Stenmark cracked a big smile and lifted his cap to thank the audience for their support – and repeated the joyful gesture after clearing 3.00 in his second attempt.
It's only two centimeters from his personal best, he explains.
After that, it got a bit too high, and the competition ended for him with three failures at 3.15.
Whether there will be more competitions remains uncertain.
Okay, it can be good to have a competition as a goal to strive for, but I'm not super keen on competing, he says.
Praised by "Mondo"
On his way to the championship in Gothenburg, Stenmark has had some help, among others, from the world's best pole vaulter, Armand Duplantis.
"Mondo" Duplantis, who took both OS gold and set a world record in Paris recently, is impressed by how Stenmark has taken on his new sport.
It's clear that he thinks it's fun and has an interest. It's insanely impressive how good his form and athleticism are at his age, he says to Aftonbladet.
According to Stenmark, the two stars have talked about many things when they've met in the training hall in Sollentuna – but not particularly much about pole vaulting.
He's on a different level, notes the alpine legend.
I watch all his competitions, he's an incredible jumper. It's really impressive in such a difficult sport.
Born: March 18, 1956, in Tärnaby.
Merits in brief: Two OS golds and one OS bronze (also counted as World Championship medals). Three golds and one silver at separate alpine World Championships. A total of 86 World Cup victories, three wins in the overall World Cup. Has been awarded the Bragdguldet twice.
After his alpine career: among other things, a win in SVT's "Masters of Masters" in 2011 and in TV4's "Let's Dance" in 2015.
