Armand Duplantis: “I’ve dreamed of the Olympic Games since I was young”

After competing in the Czech Republic on May 19, he awaits the premiere of the Diamond League in Britain’s Gateshead four days later.

Duplantis will also compete at the Bauhaus gala in Stockholm on June 4 after which it awaits a recharge on Swedish soil before the Olympics, which begins on July 23.

Duplantis for massive press

– I want to win the Olympic gold. Just being able to compete in the Olympics is a dream I’ve had since I was young, and now I’m in a seat where I feel like everyone sees me as the best gold contender. It’s a lot of pressure but it’s very cool and I’m grateful for that. I will do as much of this situation as possible and show Sweden and the rest of the world what I can do, he tells SVT Sport.

You seem very comfortable with all the pressure?

Well, I’m not a guy who just loves journalism all the time, but when it comes to sports I don’t have anything against it. When it comes to pole vaulting, I have great self-confidence and know that if I’m healthy, I can perform. This self-confidence is the reason why the press does not deal with me.

ARCHIVE: Here, Duplantis close to finishing 6.19 (March 7, 2021)

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“I want the Olympics to take place”

In recent days, two opinion polls have been conducted in Japan regarding the Tokyo Olympics.

One showed that 59 percent of people wanted to cancel games, and the other showed that 65 percent wanted games to be canceled or postponed.

I want the Olympics to be held. I’m trying to see it in a positive light and I think it’s going to happen, says Duplantis at today’s press conference.

For SVT Sport, he developed:

– I think the Olympics will come to an end and that’s all the motivation I need. I have all the motivation in the world now.

When asked how important the competition in Ostrava next week will be, Duplantis answered:

– It’s an important competition, but it’s not the most important at all. If you jump well, it doesn’t mean much, and if you jump poorly, it doesn’t mean much either. I have to jump as best I can in the Olympics, so I’m not worried.

Archive: Here Duplantis tans an exotic Norwegian hope (23 August 2020)

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