Leadership Award: Parents as Content Writers

If Armand “Mondo” Duplantis chooses the opportunity to step onto the stage of the Sports Gala tonight, he will not do it as a winner.

Then he collects the leadership award for father Greg and mother Helena.

– They are not here, so then I have to go up. I don’t need any more awards, he says.

The world’s best athlete barely knows what to do with all the prizes.

He received one more, physically in the form of a glass bowl, when he gave yet another acceptance speech as the year’s athlete at the Athletics Gala in Berns on Tuesday evening.

24 hours later, the pole vaulter is the favorite for three more awards, such as male athlete of the year and performance of the year, as well as the Jerring prize.

But nothing would beat receiving the award as leader of the year on behalf of mum and dad.

Your proudest moment?

– Yes. I’m grateful for all the awards I get, but I don’t need any more awards, says Duplantis.

No match yet

Olympic and European gold, indoor WC gold and three world records – yet the enormous achievements in 2024 were not enough to win the Jerring Prize a year ago.

In terms of popularity with the Swedish people, he had his superior in ping-pong star Truls Möregårdh.

It is quite possible that a new duel awaits. Something to talk about for the gentlemen. They sit at the same table in the Avicii arena. Then maybe they can also settle that ping pong match they talked about last year.

– It has not come off. I don’t know if I want to play ping-pong against him, rather against someone who is on the same level as me, says Mondo and laughs.

How do you see the chance of winning the Jerring Prize a second time?

– It is what it is, quite honestly. A great honor if I get it. Wonderful, but we’ll see. If people don’t vote for me… there are many others who deserve it as much as I do, he says.

Vote for Ståhl

Daniel Ståhl is one of three track and field athletes who can be voted as the people’s favorite late tonight. With a powerful final throw that measured 70.47 meters, he won the WC gold in Tokyo.

Duplantis knows who he would vote for.

– Daniel. It was a very strong memory for me. Last attempt. It’s something extra. He had a tough period before. Very strong mentally of him. He had ice in his veins.

How highly that performance is valued, Daniel Ståhl himself does not dare to guess before the Sports Gala.

– It is the people’s price. It would be fun to win it, an honor, but it’s really hard.

He believes that all eight candidates have a chance.

– There are so many sharp performances. Even among those who are not left as candidates. 2025 was a fantastic Swedish sports year.