City Event: Duplantis up close, for the pleasure of the eyes

The City Event kicks off the 49th edition of Athletissima on Wednesday August 21 with a men's pole vault competition that promises to be sumptuous. The weather is expected to be perfect. See you at 6 p.m. at Place de la Navigation, Ouchy, to admire Armand Duplantis and all the best! Admission is free.

The Paris Olympic final is still fresh in everyone’s mind, with Armand Duplantis’ fabulous world record. The extraordinary Swede, nicknamed “Mondo”, once again reached for the moon, setting his 9th world record with 6m25. A performance achieved on the 3rd attempt, just as when he won the City Event 2022 in Lausanne with 6m10. The man, so beautiful to watch soar, is never stingy with his efforts. As well as winning, he puts on a show right to the end.

There’s no reason why Wednesday’s competition shouldn’t once again go well beyond 6m. “Mondo” will be boosted by the presence of his main rivals, starting with Sam Kendricks (USA) and Emmanouil Karalis (GRE), silver and bronze medallists respectively in Paris.

World runner-up Ernest Obiena (PHI), American Chris Nilsen and French stars Thibaut Collet and Renaud Lavillenie will be looking to confuse the field.

Young Swiss hopeful Valentin Imsand (record 5m61) will be taking advantage of the opportunity to learn and, if possible, go high too!