POSITIV Business & Style

Česko-anglický magazín mapující úspěchy českých podnikatelů, inovace, investiční příležitosti a trendy v lifestylu s distribucí po celém světě. / Czech-English Magazine Mapping the Successes of Czech Entrepreneurs, Innovations, Investment Opportunities, and Lifestyle Trends, with Global Distribution.

Golden Spike Deafening Silence and Thundering Applause

www.posiv.cz ǀ 97

POSITIV MAN

Golden Spike

Deafening Silence and Thundering Applause

The world record holder, European champion, World champion and Olympic gold medallist in pole

vault sees only the bar high above his head as his main rival. He remains focused, condent,

and leaves his competors far behind.

Armand “Mondo” Duplans is not only breaking records, but also pushing the boundaries

of how athlecs is perceived. In this exclusive interview, he reveals what goes through the mind

of an Olympic champion moments aer a golden jump, what training under the guidance

of his coach-parents looks like, how strongly he feels the stadium atmosphere, and why

the Golden Spike Ostrava has such a unique charm.

When you won the Olympic gold medal, what were

your feelings, and what was going through your mind

immediately after successfully clearing the bar?

I haven’t fully processed how fantastic that moment

was. It felt like an out-of-body experience—dreaming

of breaking the world record at the Olympics since

I was a kid, and then actually doing it in front of that

incredible crowd made everything surreal.

Last year at the Golden Spike, you cleared 6 meters

and attempted the world record at 6.25 meters.

What are your memories of that competition,

and how do you evaluate your performance?

I was really pleased with the last attempt—it felt better

than I expected and gave me the confidence to move

forward. My runway speed felt strong, I just wished

the conditions hadn’t been quite so cold and windy.

The Ostrava audience is known for its passion

for athletics and sports. What impression did

the atmosphere at the stadium during the Golden

Spike leave on you?

Competing in Ostrava is exceptional because you

jump so close to the audience. That almost intimate

interaction creates an amazing atmosphere.

Athletics has taken you to many countries around

the world. Which destinations have left the strongest

impression on you, and why?

Each country has a specific culture and I like it. It would

be special to return to Tokyo and this time compete

in front of full stands, instead of empty tribunes as at

Olympics.