Why Duplantis' achievements are a blessing for athletics

• Armand Duplantis tried a new world record for pole vault but failed to pass 6.19 m on Wednesday evening at Liévin.
• A small failure which does not call into question the status of this young Swede of 20 years on the way to become the new star of world athletics.

Let's start with the only little false note of the evening. By missing the bar at 6.19 m three times, Armand Duplantis did not set a new world record for pole vault Wednesday evening at the Liévin meeting. By dint of passing a course from week to week, we got used to the exploits of the young Swedish man of 20 years, the tallest man in the world since a jump to 6.18m established on February 15 in Torun (Poland). In addition, Duplantis really got close to the feat on its second try in Pas-de-Calais. But no regret at this athlete just out of the acne period.

"I jumped well. And now everyone knows that I can pass this bar. People expect a lot from me now. I try to jump as high as possible and meet their expectations, ”says the new star of the world athlete. Delighted with the northern atmosphere, "Mondo" Duplantis warmed up the public.

Yes, yes, yes but No. Too bad, it was not far #Duplantis #Lievin pic.twitter.com/5pW1fdS5oN

With his run-up to the sound of Avicii's Levels tube, he raised the temperature a few degrees in a covered stadium that had eyes only for him. It was enough to see the number of selfies requested when leaving the mixed zone to realize the new status taken by the world record holder. What cheer the other pole vaulters like the French Mathieu Collet, present at the meeting of Liévin.

"He's a 20 year old kid who knows the consecration of the new king"

“It brings a breath of fresh air to athletics. It is a 20 year old boy who knows the consecration of the new king. It's great because it brings a monumental spotlight on the pole which is a discipline that deserves to be better known in the eyes of the general public. It's fabulous to have an athlete like that in our competitions. It inspires a lot of people and motivates us to death. "

And it's not only among pole vaulters that Duplantis seduces. In a sport like athletics undermined by the doping business and orphaned headliner since Usain Bolt's retirement in 2017, Duplantis' exploits are a blessing. Pascal Martinot-Lagarde, the French hurdler, does not hide his admiration.

“We are in a period where we had the end of Usain Bolt and where we are waiting for the next generation of a person who will wear athletics. Duplantis is young, has shoulders and is promising. It's great to have big perfs like that. I started the 60m hurdles (which he won) five minutes after his second world record attempt. All the shouting public, all this hubbub of the arena pierced my heart and perhaps served me for a great race. In any case, I use it and in addition it puts a big light on our sport. It's awesome. "

A new record from Sunday in Clermont

Both a source of motivation and a blessing for all athletes, Armand Duplantis is without doubt the best thing that could happen to athletics five months before the Tokyo Olympics. All that remains is to continue his quest for records. Next step this Sunday in Clermont at the All Star Perche organized by Renaud Lavillenie, ex-world record holder. A real transfer of power between the old and the new world.

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• Pole vault
• Renaud Lavillenie
• Lille
• World record
• Athletics
• Sport