On Thursday, Armand Duplantis makes his season debut at the Mondo Classics pole vault event in Uppsala.

SVT Sport met the world's best track and field athlete in connection with a training session in Sollentuna, where he practices speed several days a week.

- Technically, I don't need to pole vault.

It's like riding a bike for me, he says.

Could there be a technical problem if you get even faster?

- No, it has never been a problem.

It helps when I get faster, I can grip the pole a little higher and use a stiffer pole, so "speed" is always good.

Start of the season in the training arena

In 2022, Armand Duplantis won both the WC and EC, and raised the world record three times, up to 6.21.

Now, according to his own statement, he is even better, and no one says things like these more naturally and obviously than Armand Duplantis.

His achievements would, for many other athletes, lie like a barbell of pressure on the young shoulders.

The start of the season on Thursday in Uppsala takes place precisely where Armand Duplantis conducts most of his indoor jumping training in Sweden.

"Hope to hit more than last year"

- I'm hooked, there's no better place to start than Uppsala.

How important is a good start to the season?

- It is very important, and a little extra pressure with home ground.

How many world records are you setting this year?

- I have no idea, but I hope I can hit more than last year.

Then it was three, so I hope for more than that, says Armand Duplantis with a smile.

Don't miss: 19:00: Mondo Classics from Uppsala.