The 22-year-old prodigy never stops chasing that little centimeter that would make all the difference.

But as in his first three indoor outings of the season, he did not manage to find the right formula to mark the history of the discipline a little more with his mark, as he was able to do in February 2020 ( 6.18m).

Without an adversary to his measure capable of pushing him to his last entrenchments, the Olympic champion lived a very peaceful competition.

May be too much.

After having quietly erased 5.61 m then 5.81 m, training bars for him, Duplantis first wanted to pass 6.05 m, just to warm up a bit and take the opportunity to go higher than on February 9 in Uppsala in front of his home crowd (6.04m).

But he had to do it three times to get there before tackling his world record.

The challenge seemed too complicated, although he came somewhat close to the Holy Grail on his last attempt at 6.19m.

Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis during the indoor meeting in Birmingham, February 19, 2022 Adrian DENNIS AFP

But it's probably only a postponement for Duplantis, who has dominated pole vault for two years and will be the big favorite at the indoor Worlds (March 18-20 in Belgrade) then outdoors (July 15-24 in Eugene in the United States). United), the two great titles that are missing from his list.

"6.05m is a good jump and a good result but I have a mixed feeling, he said. I really wanted to pass 6.19m. I have this expectation and I know it is indoors that I will have the best conditions to do it, without wind. I know I can do it."

No sparks for Thompson-Herah

Over 60m, Elaine Thompson-Herah did not sparkle for her first indoor outing in three years, winning in 7 sec 08, quite far from her best time (6 sec 98) which dates from 2017. The five-time Olympic champion, queen of the Tokyo Olympics with three gold medals, has no specific goals for this winter season anyway and has not yet decided whether or not she will participate in the Indoor Worlds.

Jamaica's Elaine Thompson-Herah during the 60m final at the Birmingham meeting, February 19, 2022 Adrian DENNIS AFP

"I'm satisfied even though I wanted to go below 7 seconds. But it's part of my training process. My speed hasn't come back yet but it's all about preparation," explained the Jamaican, second woman the fastest in history over 100 m (10 sec 54) behind the American Florence Griffith-Joyner and her sulphurous record (10 sec 49).

Among the men, Noah Lyles beat his personal best in 6 sec 55 by beating his compatriot Ronnie Baker (6 sec 55) on the post.

Nothing to rave about for the 200m world champion (2019), 3rd at the Tokyo Games, who stayed far from the best world performance of the year held by the Bahamian Terrence Jones in 6 sec 45.

Finally, no one was able to challenge Grant Holloway's supremacy over 60m hurdles.

The American, world record holder for the distance (7 sec 29), flew over the race in 7 sec 41, two days after winning at Liévin (7 sec 35).

Unless there is a huge surprise like at the Olympics when he finished second in the 110m hurdles, he will not have a competitor of his size at the World Indoor Championships.

kn/ll/dep

© 2022 AFP