Duplantis fails gossamerly at the world record height of 6.19 meters
Stand: 03.08.2021
Melanie Haack – “Three times, that’s historical”
There has never been anything like it before: German sailors win three medals on one day of competition. The German fleet was able to collect one silver and two bronze medals within four hours. More from WELT Olympic reporter Melanie Haack.
Armand Duplantis dominates the world elite at his Olympic premiere and wins gold. At the end of the competition, the young Swede competes against himself. Only the organizers are responsible for shaking their heads.
Sa competitor stood in line, clapped rhythmically applause and cheered Armand Duplantis on. At the end of the competition, the pole vaulter from Sweden competed against what is probably the only real opponent who can ever take him on: himself.
The world record in high jump dates from 2018, set by him, of course. So Duplantis put up 6.19 meters. The Swede with the pale blue eyes opened a duel with the past at a late hour. He was sure of gold for a long time, and there had been no one in the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo who jumped in the heights of Sweden.
Even more impressive than the result was the magical ease with which the 21-year-old catapulted himself into the air when he took part in the Olympics for the first time. More technology, less power – at least that’s how it looks. So now the world record attempt.
Record hunter: Armand Duplantis is about to break Sergej Bubka’s world record
What: REUTERS
The American Christopher Nilsen had previously been able to spray at least for a moment the hint of hope for an exciting competition. The 23-year-old registered his skipped 5.92 meters in disbelief and then managed the 5.97 meters in the first attempt. The man was riding a wave at this point in the competition, and Duplantis’ face showed that the last remaining competitor had put pressure on his series.
By then, the favorite had skipped all heights that he did not miss – and in the end also took the 5.97 meters with a lot of air between the bar and body. In lockstep, the duo now went over the six-meter mark: 6.02 meters were laid.
Nilsen pulls the plug
It is well known that the throwing and jumping competitions in athletics are usually a little under the radar. The criticism repeatedly voiced by athletes in recent years has not been able to change this.
Even if the only male star currently in athletics competes, the run continues all around as if the pole vault were just an inferior side program. In this respect, it was not an unknown situation for Christoph Nilsen when someone suddenly switched on the light in his tunnel.
The American was about to make his first attempt over the 6.02 when it got noisy in the stadium. The 200-meter runners were introduced. Nilsen shook his head and put his staff aside in annoyance. He then pushed the attempt between the performance and the starting shot of the women – and tore the height clearly.
Duplantis, on the other hand, waited for the run, jumped and was happy about 6.02 meters, which ultimately meant gold. Nilsen did not find his way back into the competition, but was happy about the silver in the end.
The best of the others: Christoph Nilsen (right) cheers silver and congratulates the outstanding Armand Duplantis
What: REUTERS
When all other competitions were over, the Swede then put the 6.19 on – and hardly needed a failed attempt here either. He only touched the bar lightly with his chest and missed the historic moment.
Just missed: Armand Duplantis is on the way to genaz new heights
What: REUTERS
In the second attempt, the air seemed to be out, he lacked the necessary body tension. But with another cracked jump – this time it was the thighs – he indicated that the old record will fall in the foreseeable future.
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