Clermont-Ferrand (AFP)

Never two without three ? The Swedish Armand Duplantis estimated Friday that the "All star perche", competition organized Sunday in Clermont-Ferrand by Renaud Lavillenie, would be the "good place" to establish a new world record.

"You can never know when you are going to beat a world record, it is sport" but "I think it would be the right place to do it," said Friday at a press conference the athlete who has already broken the world record twice in February.

"I can't guess what's going to happen but I have really great memories here in Clermont", where "all the performances are always spectacular thanks to the talents, thanks to the place, thanks to Renaud, and I'm very excited to participate in it, "he added.

The "All Star perche" is a competition organized on its lands by the Olympic champion Renaud Lavillenie in the presence of big names: Sam Kendricks, Cole Walsh or the American Sandi Morris this year.

Armand Duplantis erased the world record held by Renaud Lavillenie after crossing 6.17 m in Torun (Poland) on February 8, then 6.18 m a week later in Glasgow.

"Mondo", 20 years old, is now raising big expectations: "I don't feel the pressure, I know she is there, that people expect things from me now, but I remain confident", he said. explained, ensuring you feel "in good shape".

"I was in this position six years ago, where at each competition we repeated the same thing: + world record, world record +. If a world record falls every weekend, it loses its credibility, "said Renaud Lavillenie.

"He has already done something exceptional by beating him twice, obviously we all hope that he can beat him a third time," he added. "He didn't take anything from me personally," he added.

"My goal is to advance competition after competition, to be able to jump here in front of my audience, it's nice to be able to come back, I'm impatient to be able to jump again and I can't dream of a better stage", concluded the Frenchman.

© 2020 AFP