Curtis Marshall is in for a big shock when the world record holder’s 40-event winning streak ends on home turf.
It didn’t make much sense. Mondo Duplantis does not come second. At least he hadn’t since the 2023 Monaco Diamond League match. When there’s an opportunity to step up, such as the Stockholm Diamond League at the Olympic Stadium, which was packed as the vast majority of the crowd came to see him compete, he does.
Just not this time. A year after Sweden’s sunrise night when he lifted the men’s pole vault world record to 6.28m at this same venue, the two-time Olympic champion appeared to apologize to his fans for coming up short.
Right from his first failed attempt at the opening height of 5.60m, Duplantis didn’t seem quite himself. Even when he got through the second round well, there was more stuttering about the experience than the usual easy shouting. First time success came on his next height of 5.80m, but that was as high as the man who cleared the world record of 6.31m earlier this year could achieve.
Two misses at 6.00m and then a missed Hail Mary at 6.05m meant she had to settle for second. His 40-event winning streak came to an end.
First place went to Australia’s Curtis Marshall, who took his first Diamond League win at 5.90m. France’s Baptiste Thierry, also 5.80m, took third place.
Given his profile, especially in Sweden, Duplantis always has a lot going on in his life. But his air drift is perhaps best explained by the fact that he has been planning his wedding to Desiré Inglander next week.
“We say in Swedish. ‘You’re lucky in games or you’re lucky in love,’ and my wedding is next week, so maybe not having a great day today means it’s going to be a great day for me and my future wife,” Duplantis said. “I feel like there’s a bigger meaning at this point.
“I’m really surprised at how happy everyone is because those are the people I really let down. I wish I could jump well for myself, but I feel sad for the people who were here. But people keep telling me I flew great. I just get so much love from everyone.
“Today I felt a bit focused and I really didn’t want to lose here in front of my family and fans. But hats off to Curtis today, who beat me fair and square.”
Marshall, who will be aiming for his third Commonwealth title in a row in Glasgow next month, said: “I didn’t want to spoil the show, but I’m so happy with the win. It took a long time to get my first diamond league win and I really thought it would never come with Mondo here. Track and field wouldn’t be where it is without Mony.”
Results: here
