The sports year 2020 goes down in history as one of the darkest and strangest.
The pandemic that has paralyzed the world is of course an important part of SVT Sports' annual chronicle.
But there are also flashes of light with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sarah Sjöström, Anton Hedman, Khaddi Sagnia and many more.
Above all, there is Armand Duplantis, who in February, when the world was still counting down to the Olympics in Tokyo, set two new world records;
6.17 and a week later 6.18, indoors.
"It did not really happen that way"
In a great interview in the annual chronicle, "Mondo" remembers:
- I have long wanted to beat the world record but did not think it would happen so early.
But I have always believed that I can be the best in the world.
And it looked so promising for the outdoor season ... but it did not turn out that way, he says.
Covid 19 stopped almost all world sports and major championships were canceled.
Athletics was no exception.
The summer was a difficult time for Duplantis, both in the new home in Uppsala and the parents' home in Louisiana, USA.
- I had problems with motivation.
Late summer would change that.
Athletics got on its feet, usually without spectators, and pole vault was the hottest branch in the Diamond League.
Duplantis found joy again:
- I wanted to poke Sergei (Bubka) as the best ever outdoors.
Deleted Bubka's record
Then it happened.
Bubka's 26-year-old record was erased in Rome on September 17.
Duplantis jumped 6.15, the highest in the world outdoors.
- Many still see Bubka as the best ever but it is a position I want to take over, says Armand Duplantis.
The record jump in the dark 2020 gave Duplantis a number of awards, including the Bragdguldet.
The annual chronicle will be broadcast on SVT and SVT Play on 2 January.