Armand Duplantis took home the Olympic gold in Tokyo with superior style.

Now it's time for Diamond League competitions again and he feels that the pressure is less after the gold.

- I feel that I have less pressure on me now.

It was very stressful before the Olympics because they saw me as a favorite to win.

People talked as if I had already won before the competition.

Now it feels like I can breathe again, I feel more calm now, says Armand Duplantis at the Diamond Leagues press conference.

In Lausanne, the audience will be back, a welcome addition for the competitors.

- It will be special.

I know I perform better when the audience is present.

It will be fun, says Mondo.

"It hurt"

Next to Mondo sat the American Sam Kendricks, who missed the Olympics on the finish line after falling ill with covid-19.

Which was a heavy blow for the double world champion who is now back and competing.

- Missing the Olympics hurt.

I wanted to prove myself and I was not given the opportunity to do so.

This sport is about proving oneself time and time again, so it hurt not to be allowed to do it during the Olympics, says Sam Kendricks.

The Diamond League competition starts on Thursday, starting at 20.00 on SVT2.

MORE ATHLETICS: Maja Åskag: "Incredible and unreal" (August 23)

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Maja Åskag: "Incredible and unreal"