Exclusive Interview with Olympic Gold Medalist Pole Vault Star Duplantis: Why Winning Gold is More Important than Breaking Records

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 1 Topic: Olympic gold medals are more important than breaking records – exclusive interview with pole vault star Duplantis

Xinhua News Agency reporters Wu Junkuan and Dong Yixing

At the end of April, the Swedish pole vaulter Duplantis came to China to compete for the first time. In two Diamond League events held one week apart, he not only won the tournament, but also set a new world record in Xiamen. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency reporters at the Yangtze River Delta Station, Duplantis expressed that he was very happy with his first visit to China. Looking forward to this summer’s Paris Olympics, he believes that winning a gold medal is more important than breaking a world record.

“That (Diamond League Xiamen Station) was my first game in China, and I also broke the world record, so they’re all good memories.” Duplantis said, “I know I’m there the good shape, and I also knew this (breaking records) was possible, but it was a little difficult for me to come to China for the first time, I had sleep issues and jet lag because China was so far away and I slept me mostly during the day ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ and at night, so I can stay up late and do well in the competition.”

In the Xiamen Diamond League competition on April 20, Duplantis improved his own world record by 1 centimeter with a score of 6.24 meters, and cleared the bar at all heights, showing excellent performance. At the Yangtze River Delta Diamond International Track and Field Games held in Suzhou on April 27, he easily jumped over the 6-meter horizontal bar and won the competition early. Then he launched an attack on the ninth world record in his career, but unfortunately he did not jump to a height of 6.25 meters in three attempts.

Duplantis said that not only did he win championships and world records in China, but the fact that the two games were separated by about a week gave him the opportunity to visit and experience Xiamen, Shanghai and Suzhou Culture opened up special Chinese eyes too.

“This is a completely new culture for me, with unique architecture and food. I know I have only briefly appreciated a small part of Chinese culture. There is so much worth knowing and feeling. Only a week is far away. Not It’s enough Duplantis said, “But obviously this won’t be my last time in China. Competitions in Beijing, so I think I’ll come to China often to experience Chinese culture.” as deep as possible.”

There are less than three months until the Olympics open in Paris As the defending champion, Duplantis said it would be great to set a new world record in Paris, but the most important thing is to win in to organize the competition and the Take. home the gold medal.

He said: “I hope to reach my best position in Paris, I think I can do it, and then it depends on how high I can jump. For track and field, nothing is more important than the Olympics. Before the Paris Olympics, I think there are still 5 games left before the Olympics in Paris.”

When he broke the world record for the first time in 2020 with a height of 6.17 meters, Duplantis said he realized the dream he had when he was 3 years old. When asked why he had such big dreams at such a young age, he said: “I’ve always had dreams like that since I was a child. I am a dreamer, world records, Olympic champions, I want it all. I want everything. . I think it’s important for children to dream big.”

In four years, Duplantis rewrote world records eight times, winning an Olympic championship, two world championships, two world indoor championships and three Diamond League finals. In the men’s pole vault competition, as long as Duplantis can perform normally, it is likely that the champion will not fall behind. At 24 years old, he has been the hottest star in field and field. Looking to praise and flowers, Duplantis was always calm and focused.

“I don’t think too much about what other people think of me. I just want to enjoy the moment and keep trying to jump to new heights. I hope my energy encourage all and maintain excellent results.” I am very interested in myself I have a lot of confidence in myself decision Yanchao, Wang Hengzhi, Xu Dongyuan)