Opinion is divided on who will win the much-anticipated sprint race between the 400m hurdles and pole vault world record holders in Zurich.
Over the years, the world of athletics has entertained the imagination of potentially lopsided contests. Mo Farah alone has been involved in several. These included a 600m race against Usain Bolt, a 400m race with wheelchair racer David Weir and even a fight against Amir Khan with the boxer having the right to use only one hand.
Many will remember that 200m specialist Jarnell Hughes and 400m runner Matt Hudson-Smith challenged each other to a 300m duel last year. Many such unconventional collisions, however, simply never happen.
However, when it comes to Karsten Warholm and Mondo Duplantis over 100m, the dream must come true. The 400m hurdles and pole vault world record holders, respectively, will meet in Zurich’s Letzigrund 24 hours before the event. The main program of the Diamond League where they will return to their regular events.
Karsten Warholm and Mondo Duplantis (Getty)
A packed press conference at the Letzigrund on Tuesday (September 3) saw both athletes pulled out. There was a definite match-box style atmosphere, though there was none of the bile and venom that usually accompanies boxing and UFC press conferences and weigh-ins.
Instead, the two Nordic athletes are good friends and their clash is good natured, just to settle a score. However, it has captured the sport’s imagination and a Letzigrund home is expected to be packed on Wednesday night for the 100m, which organizers Puma, Red Bull and Weltklasse Zurich claim is the race to “decide it all : “.
In addition to the big event at 9.30pm local time, there is an under-18 sprint race to ‘find the next Mujinga Kambundji’, breakdance battles and a BMX bike exhibition.
Mondo Duplantis (Getty)
While Warholm and Duplantis were speaking at the press conference, Colin Jackson interviewed them on stage. The former sprint steeplechase world record holder knows a thing or two about doing ‘different events’, having also won the European 60m indoor title and dabbled in the long jump during his stellar career.
Is he allowed to pick sides? “We’re in Switzerland, so I’ll stay neutral.” he said diplomatically.
As for Warholm and Duplantis, the Norwegian said he got tips on his start from Usain Bolt. Duplantis, on the other hand, was spotted running out of the blocks with American sprinter Fred Curley.
How was the confrontation? Duplantis said. “I think that was my suggestion. Now it’s starting to settle down a bit. When I got here and saw the whole setup and everything is official. Before I just relaxed and this was just nonsense with two people challenging each other.”
Karsten Warholm (Getty)
Warholm added: “When a handshake goes down, it always should. This makes sense to both me and Mondo.
“Mondo and I didn’t create the hype, I think the event created its own hype. People want to see this. It’s something new, it’s something that excites. I don’t know who’s going to win myself, but I wouldn’t shake his hand if I wasn’t sure, that’s for sure.”
Despite competing in different events, their 100m individual bests are close. Warholm clocked 10.49 seconds in 2017, and Duplantis clocked 10.57 seconds in 2018 as a high school student.
Warming to the occasion, Warholm continued. “I think it will be a real match. I am going to give him everything I have and I know he will do the same. That’s why we’re here to find out, that’s what the excitement is about, who will cross the finish line first?
“It seems like when you fight with your friends as you get older, it always gets serious at some point. It’s all fun and games right now, but once we’re down that line, it won’t be so much fun anymore. We’re in a dogfight.”
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Dogfighting aside, Duplantis believes he’s actually flawed. “I’m still an underdog in the actual track community,” he says. “Now I might be a bit more excited because I just broke the world record at the Olympics, but at the end of the day it’s going to be a split between me and Karsten.”
Who will win? Let’s hope it’s not as anti-climactic as the infamous 150m 100m champion Donovan Bailey and Olympic 200m champion Michael Johnson in Toronto 1997 when Johnson was injured mid-race.
Most experts believe that Duplantis vs. Warholm will come down to the live broadcast. But whoever wins, is there a rematch clause in their contract? “If not, it should be.” says Jackson.
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