"I started pole vaulting when I was four years old," Duplantis recalled. "When you have a pole vault pit in your back yard, you're going to try it. I fell in love with pole vault at a young age and stuck with it."
This mental rehearsal has played a crucial role in his ability to perform under the intense pressure of Olympic competition. At Paris 2024, Duplantis’ performance was nothing short of spectacular. His record-setting vault was achieved with apparent ease, as he cleared 6.25 metres on his first attempt.
The crowd of 69,000 erupted in jubilation, and Duplantis was overcome with emotion. "That's just overflowed with emotions, freaking out," he said of the experience. "I've been fortunate enough to do it several times now, but every time the feeling is kind of the same. This was a more extreme version."
His triumph in the French capital marked Duplantis’ second consecutive Olympic gold, a feat that had not been accomplished in pole vaulting since Bob Richards in 1956. With nine world records to his name, Duplantis has become a defining figure in his sport. His career includes two Olympic golds, two world outdoor championships, four world indoor titles, three European championships, and three Diamond League wins.
Reflecting on his performance, Duplantis noted, "When I'm going over the bar it's like AI (artificial intelligence), it doesn't feel real. That was more hysteria and freaking out." This sentiment was echoed by World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe, who has described Duplantis as a "rock star of athletics," highlighting the awe and excitement surrounding his career.
Despite his extraordinary achievements, Duplantis remains grounded and focused on the present. "Probably one of the moments where I cared least the future is right now, soaking up this moment right now," he said. "How can I care anything else? When things align the way they did for me, you’ve got to enjoy those kinds of things."
His decision to attempt the world record at the Olympics, rather than waiting for a less high-profile event, reflects his deep-seated dream of achieving this feat on the biggest stage. "The biggest dream since a kid was to break the world record at the Olympics," he said. "I've been able to do that in front of the most ridiculous crowd I've ever competed in front of."
Duplantis’ final vault was executed with a sense of control and freedom. "I didn't really have anything to lose either. I'd already won and broke the Olympic record, I was already Olympic champion for a second time," he explained.
As he savours this pinnacle moment in his career, the 24-year-old acknowledges the magnitude of his achievements. "If I don't beat this moment in my career, then I'm pretty pretty okay with that. You know, I don't think you really can get much better than what just happened. So it's dang amazing."
With his remarkable feats and continued excellence, Duplantis has firmly established himself as one of the greatest pole vaulters of all time. His journey from a backyard enthusiast to an Olympic legend serves as a testament to his extraordinary talent and relentless dedication to the sport.
Born and raised in England, Sam is now living in Barcelona. He is a digital sports writer and weekend editor for Inside The Games.
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