Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis will challenge Norwegian hurdler Karsten Warholm on the Diamond League track in Zurich this Wednesday, September 4. An anticipated event, planned for several weeks already.
Originally, it was nothing more or less than a “joke that came true”, admits Armand “Mondo” Duplantis. The pole vault record holder, Olympic champion in his discipline, will challenge Karsten Warholm, world record holder in the 400m hurdles and silver medalist in Paris, in the 100m this Wednesday, September 4.
The two Scandinavians will face off in the main athletics event at 8:30 pm on the eve of the opening of the Diamond League in Zurich. A duel announced with great fanfare three days after the end of the Olympic Games, with an American-style subtitle: “100m to put everyone in agreement”.
“Mondo and I didn’t create this expectation,” the Norwegian argues. “I think the event itself created this expectation. People want to see this. It’s something new, something to be excited about. I don’t even know who’s going to win, but I wouldn’t shake their hand if I didn’t have confidence, that’s for sure.”
Duplantis will do everything to win this race
The “joke” was born in July 2023. Good friends, the two men had just participated in a joint training session in Monaco when one said to the other: “Let’s race!” Little by little, an idea took shape: why not make this duel an event? “Mondo” Duplantis and Karsten Warholm agreed, even if the Norwegian conceded that it would be “more embarrassing for [lui]” if he loses.
Because the hurdler is more used to starting blocks than his competitor, who starts standing up in his discipline. The Swede is certainly used to run-ups, but only over a distance of 45m. Not enough to undermine his confidence, however.
“I’m going to win. I’m just trying to get over that line before him, that’s the only thing that matters,” says the native of Lafayette, in the United States, his father’s country. “I think he probably underestimates my speed in general.”
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A Head Start for Warholm
As the official Olympic website recalls, Armand Duplantis achieved his best performance in the 100m in 2018, when he was in high school. He then achieved a more than honorable performance: 10.57s.
As for Karsten Warholm, his last straight-line performance dates back to 2017, the year he set his record (10.49s). The Norwegian therefore seems to be starting with a slight head start.
In any case, the two Scandinavian athletes did not skip the preparation for this event. The pole vaulter trained with the American sprinter Fred Kerley while the hurdler benefited from the advice of a certain Usain Bolt to achieve a good start. We have known worse entourage.
Florian Bouhot BFM Regions journalist
