Duplantis: "I think the competition will be special"

In Monaco, several of the world's best athletes have gathered for the Diamond League competition on Friday. For Armand Duplantis, it is the first competition in a long time in front of an audience, but that is not what motivates the most.

- Since Sam (Kendricks) is here, and he is one of the best, I know I have to jump very well to win. So it's good motivation just that, I do not think I need the audience to jump high, he says at the press conference before the competition.

Duplantis, who jumped 5.94 as the best during the outdoor season, looks forward to once again being set against the very best and hopes for a new season best.

- I am a competitive person, so when the best are here, I think I will raise my level. Special things always happen when I, Sam (Kendricks) and Thiago (Brazs) jump at the same time. So I think the competition will be special and I am very excited about competing and chasing them again, he says.

The big challenge before the competition was to get the poles down to Monaco. When it was not possible by plane, mother Helena had to pack the car and drive the 245 miles from Uppsala to Monaco with the poles.

- It is difficult as it is to fly with the poles and when almost all flights are canceled, there are no flights that can take them, says Armand.

The competition in Monaco is the first of seven in five weeks. Already on Sunday, it is time for the Swedish Championships at home, and then the poles must be back in Sweden. On August 23, a competition awaits in Stockholm and then four competitions in Europe.

- There will be a lot of driving. Mom has already driven all the way from Sweden here so I have a bad conscience that she has to drive more. Hopefully I will find someone else who can drive or maybe I will do it myself, he says.

The Diamond League competition from Monaco is broadcast on SVT1 starting at 20.00.