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"Mondo" jumps for his grandmother at the European Championships: "It has been very tough"
🇸🇪 Sweden /Sports

"Mondo" jumps for his grandmother at the European Championships: "It has been very tough"

From Dagens Nyheter · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Pole vault star Armand Duplantis is competing in the European Championships shortly after his grandmother's funeral.
  • Duplantis has experienced a summer of mixed emotions, including his wedding and moving, alongside personal loss.
  • He states he is now competing for something greater, honoring his grandmother's memory.

Swedish pole vault sensation Armand Duplantis is set to compete in the European Championships, a significant event that follows a summer marked by both profound joy and deep sorrow. The athlete, affectionately known as "Mondo," is participating shortly after attending the funeral of his 92-year-old grandmother, Ingrid Hedlund, who had been a steadfast supporter throughout his career.

I have something greater I am jumping for now.

— Armand DuplantisExplaining his motivation following his grandmother's death.

Duplantis has openly shared that this period has been "very tough." He recently traveled to Avesta for the funeral, describing it as a beautiful ceremony but an emotionally challenging time for himself, his mother, and the entire family. "We think about her every day, and I have something greater I am jumping for now," Duplantis stated, indicating that his grandmother's memory will be a driving force during his competitions.

It has been very tough. I was in Avesta last week when we had the funeral. It was very tough but also a beautiful ceremony.

— Armand DuplantisDescribing the emotional impact of his grandmother's funeral.

This season has presented Duplantis with unique challenges beyond personal grief. He married his fiancée, Desiré Inglander, in March, followed by a larger wedding ceremony on the French Riviera in early June. The couple also relocated to Monaco during the spring. Duplantis acknowledged that these life changes have likely impacted his focus on pole vaulting, but he had planned for this year, which lacks an Olympic or World Championship, to accommodate these personal milestones.

We think about her every day and I have something greater I am jumping for now.

— Armand DuplantisConnecting his grandmother's memory to his current athletic pursuits.

Despite a couple of second-place finishes and a recent injury scare in London, Duplantis reports feeling "really good" after a solid three-week training period. He expressed initial concerns about missing the European Championships due to the injury but felt confident after his latest jump. He is now channeling his experiences, both joyful and tragic, into his performance, competing with the added motivation of honoring his beloved grandmother.

Of course, it is very tough for the family, myself and my mother.

— Armand DuplantisReflecting on the family's shared grief.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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