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The magic of Stockholm Olympic Stadium has already delivered one of the greatest moments of Armand “Mondo” Duplantis’ remarkable career.
Now the Swedish superstar returns to the BAUHAUS-galan with another world record in his sights.
Twelve months ago, Duplantis soared 6.28m in front of an ecstatic home crowd to set a new global mark in one of the defining moments in Diamond League history. Since then he has raised the world record three more times, with 6.32m now standing as the latest target.
On Sunday, he hopes lightning can strike twice.
“I always have the juices flowing when I jump here in Stockholm,” Duplantis said. “It feels like extra weight and extra importance, so I really want to make sure that I put on as good of a show as possible.”
Breaking the world record on home soil remains one of the most treasured memories of his career.
“Last year was like the biggest dream ever because it was so important to me to break a world record here. We were fortunate enough to have great weather, and everything came together.”
That experience has only fuelled his desire to create another unforgettable evening.
“Breaking the world record here last year was one of the more special moments I’ve had in my entire life, and it made me very motivated to try to replicate that feeling,” he said.
“I feel very, very hungry and motivated, and I would love to jump 6.32 metres tomorrow. The forecast is looking better and better and if I can hit a nice one and get some decent wind, then I think it’s very possible.”
Adding to the occasion is the presence of family and lifelong friends visiting Stockholm ahead of his wedding celebrations next weekend.
“I have a lot of friends here, including one from Louisiana who hasn’t seen me jump since I was basically a kid. It’ll be really special for him to be here, so hopefully I can put on a really good show.”
The home crowd will also be cheering for fellow Swedish world champion Daniel Ståhl, who is hoping to claim victory in Stockholm for the first time in five years in what promises to be another high-quality men’s discus competition.
With throwing standards continuing to rise across the globe, Ståhl believes another huge performance will be needed.
“The guys are exploding right now,” he said. “The discus world for both men and women is crazy good. I don’t have a number, but I would say 70 metres plus to win, or even more.”
The women’s long jump will feature one of the sport’s breakthrough performers in American Alexis Brown, who has already leapt 7.07m this season and arrives in Sweden for her first Stockholm Diamond League appearance.
The historic setting has already left a lasting impression.
“This is so exciting. It’s my first time in Sweden and I can see why people love to call this place home,” Brown said.
“I went to the stadium yesterday and I was just in awe. It feels weird to be jumping in a stadium like this. It’s too pretty. It’s insane. It’s so exciting that I get to be part of this and part of history.”
Olympic and world discus champion Valarie Allman also believes Stockholm offers something unique, with the atmosphere of the historic Olympic venue providing extra inspiration.
Competing at the meeting for a third time, the American hopes to leave her own mark on the stadium’s long history.
“To compete in an Olympic stadium, I always feel there’s extra magic that I want to draw from,” she said.
“It was the 1912 Olympic Stadium and women’s discus wasn’t even an event then, so to challenge the meeting record and make my own stamp in history would be really cool. That’s something I’m aiming for.”
With the world’s greatest pole vaulter chasing another record-breaking night and Olympic and world champions lining up across the throwing and jumping events, the BAUHAUS-galan’s field programme promises to deliver another spectacular chapter in Stockholm’s rich athletics history.