Since the athletics were put on ice as a result of the corona pandemic in March, Armand Duplantis has only competed on two occasions - both times he has taken home the victory with a good margin. In June he jumped 5.86 in Oslo and at Ullevi this weekend, the 20-year-old hit the arena record when he jumped 5.94 meters - a jump that also means the world's best outdoors this year.

But it is still far from the levels the Swedish-American was at in February, when he set double world records in stellar jumps of 6.17 and 6.18. During the spring, Duplantis has not been able to compete or even train in the same way. It is not better that the stands also gap empty and the only thing heard from the arena is the sports themselves.

- It is harder to perform then because you have less adrenaline and are less tagged. With crowds I could have jumped higher than I did today, says Duplantis in connection with the pole jump competition in Gothenburg on July 4.

"Strange months"

Do you think you can reach the same levels as in February?

- I think I have to be significantly better than I was during the indoor season to be able to beat the world record outdoors without an audience. It's harder now, it's just that, he says.

Less than half a year has passed since that peak, but not much has been the same during the spring.

- It's been a couple of weird months. One day you are at the top of the world and feel: give me the Olympics already and I win. Next everything is set and you have nothing to aim for.

No goal

During the summer, sports such as football, tennis, Formula 1 and athletics have gradually started. Although there is still considerable uncertainty as to where the athletics season should take the road, where two Diamond League competitions in September and October have already been canceled.

- It's tough. For the first time ever I don't know what I want out of a season because I don't know what the season will look like. It's something I and my parents have to figure out because I have to have something to strive for, ”says Armand Duplantis, who next competes in Karlstad on July 8.

Despite the uncertainty, the 20-year-old thinks he is trying to have a positive attitude and adapt to the current situation. He tries to avoid the spread of infection in order to keep himself and those close to him healthy. At the same time, spring has provided valuable time at home in Louisiana, USA, with family and friends.

- Mentally I've been in a good place, but as a athlete I'm not in the same shape, he says.