Two years ago, Armand Duplantis sat on the same podium he sat on today, when the goal was to beat the junior world record. Now he comes from an inside season rarely seen in the history of athletics with two world record jumps and complete dominance over competitors.

- I love being here in Clermont. It is very special to me, said the young Duplantis during the press conference today.

Strong starting field

Most journalists present were of course interested in the new world record holder, but the organizer of the competition and the former world record holder, Renaud Lavillenie, was also popular.

- For me and Sam (Kendricks), it is important to try to keep up as long as possible. We know that he (Duplantis) will be incredibly difficult to beat but he is not unbeatable, says a smiling Lavillenie to SVT Sport.

For Lavillenie, it is the fifth year in a row that he is organizing the competition which only contains stake jumps and in recent years the starting field has been impressive, so this year too.

In addition to Lavillenie and Duplantis, doubles world champion Sam Kendricks is also present and the women's side is Sandi Morris in the starting lists. Morris also has a very nice inside season behind her with several attempts at world record highs and is probably seen as a favorite for the gold in Tokyo this summer.

"This is something you definitely don't want to miss"

Armand Duplantis said just after his first world record in Torun that the plan was to beat the record in Clermont, but he couldn't keep up. Renaud Lavillenie has been Duplanti's big idol during his upbringing and the Frenchman has nothing but praise to speak about his competitor.

- I've known for a couple of years now that it was he who would break my record. The only thing I didn't know was when, says Lavellenie.

Duplantis himself looks forward to a competition with good competition.

- I will not say any heights or so but unique things will happen on this course. Both men and women. This is something you definitely don't want to miss, ”concludes Armand Duplantis.

According to Armand Duplantis, the indispensable competition you can see in SVT1 and Play starting 15.30.