Tokyo (AFP)

From autograph hunter to world record "thief", Armand Duplantis has grown up so quickly ... Big favorite for gold, he will once again face Renaud Lavillenie, an idol who has become a big brother, in search of a third Olympic medal in pole vault.

A photo, like a little treasure, hangs out on an old forgotten Facebook account: Renaud Lavillenie, in full swing, signed the photo, "for Armand", an 11-year-old kid.

The Frenchman was still unaware of the usual nickname of the boy, "Mondo", and that the small phenomenon had already crossed 3.91 m with the pole.

Ten years and a little over two meters later, Duplantis has everything to clinch his first Olympic title ahead of the Frenchman.

"Wow, this is my autograph," Duplantis remembers when the photo is presented to him in an interview.

"It's crazy to see how things change. Everything is different today but it doesn't look that old ... I was a huge fan of Renaud. I loved everything he did, how he jumped . The simple fact of being able to compete against him, to learn a little more from him is cool ”.

- Pay attention to the ankle -

Since then, the young American who competes for Sweden, the country of his mother, became European champion in 2018 at 19, vice-world champion in 2019, then world record holder in 2020 with 6.17 then 6.18. m in February 2020.

He has only been beaten once in 28 contests over the past two seasons, including 18 completed over 6 meters, making him the overwhelming favorite in Tokyo.

Renaud Lavillenie, at the same time, disturbed by injuries, has lost his consistency and has not won an international title since the World Indoor Championships in March 2018.

# photo1

Pitifully eliminated in qualifying for the Doha Worlds in 2019, he has recovered this season with a jump to 6.06 m this winter.

Mistreated by two new injuries, the last of which on July 11 to the left ankle, the former world record holder (6.16 m) is nevertheless aiming for a third Olympic medal after the title of 2012 and the silver of 2016, after s be scared in qualifying.

- "Become friends" -

Its relationship with + Mondo + goes beyond simple courtesy.

He has welcomed the phenomenon several times to his home near Clermont-Ferrand.

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"By dint of growing and progressing we have become friends, says Duplantis. He went from an idol to a competitor but also a friend."

"I look at him like I look at my two big brothers," he breathes, touching.

"He's someone I really appreciate, we have this human relationship that goes beyond the relationship between pole vaulters," Lavillenie says.

In Tokyo, there will be no freebies, even if the two pole vaulters no longer seem to be playing in the same court.

At "Mondo", we promise a new record.

"Victory is my only goal, tempers the Swede. In a wonderful world I could beat the world record and make these Games legendary, but these are my first Olympics and only gold occupies my mind."

Far from these considerations, Renaud Lavillenie arrives in second curtain with the underdogs, if he can overcome his ankle pain.

Without the double American world champion Sam Kendricks, positive for Covid-19, the medals seem more accessible behind Duplantis.

He dreams of becoming the third Frenchman to stand on the podium in three different editions of the Games after Alain Mimoun (silver in the 10,000m in 1948, silver in the 5,000 and 10,000m in 1952, gold in the marathon in 1956) and Mahiedine Mekhissi (3,000m steeplechase, silver in 2008 and 2012, bronze in 2016).

Then Duplantis would be entitled to ask him for a new autograph.

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