The idea was that Armand Duplantis would first compete in Paris at the Diamond League on August 23 and the day after for Sweden at Finnkampen in Stockholm.

The pole vault competition would go out on the town in Paris on Friday, August 23, but now the organizer has moved the competition into the actual gala on Saturday instead. Then it collides with Finnkampen at Stadion in Stockholm. Armand Duplantis then chooses to nobb Paris to help Sweden in the rivalry against Finland.

- He very much wants to participate in Finnkampen, it is a priority competition, says his manager Stina Funke to SVT Sport.

- The stake jump is not an official Diamond League branch in Paris and because it was moved one day it was impossible to run both. Then it felt natural for Mondo to choose Finnkampen.

Abandon Team European Championship

In addition, this weekend the European Championship in Polish Bydgoszcz will be decided. A competition Duplantis prioritized away.

- The reason is that he has had such an incredibly long season. He is tired and tired and just needs to rest and work out, to cope with the remaining season, says union captain Karin Torneklint to SVT Sport.

I guess you had the ambition that he would join and it might be important for the group to get the big names?

- Yes, but absolutely. We always aspire to be the best. And we have succeeded in almost all branches. Then there is some injury that makes you unable to join and someone who is tired and worn out and then it is. Then we work on the other alternatives but we have very good alternatives. Don't panic about it. We have Melker Svärd, he took bronze at the indoor European championships last winter. He has the ability to jump high.

Nilsson Montler also waives

Duplantis is the world trio this year behind Sam Kendrick's and Piotr Lisek with his 6.00 he beat in Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA in May.

Neither cross-country skier Thobias Nilsson Montler, who is on his way back from injury, is included in the weekend's European Championship.

- Nilsson Montler has not been able to train fully yet. But he is on the move, says union captain Karin Torneklint to Aftonbladet.

Finnkampen will be broadcast in SVT and Play August 24-25.