OLYMPIC GAMES | ATHLETICS
Why is Mondo Duplantis competing for Sweden and not the United States and where was Armand born?
Armand “Mondo” Duplantis is a hero in Sweden, but he could have represented the USA if one coach hadn’t encouraged him to embrace his Swedish heritage.
The world-famous pole vaulter from Lafayette, Louisiana, Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis, has captivated global attention with his exceptional skills. However, when he competed at his first Games, the Tokyo Olympics, he wore the yellow and blue colors of Sweden instead of those of Team USA. In multiple instances, Duplantis has broken world records.
In 20204 alone, he surpassed it twice. This includes the 6.24 at the Xiamen Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, China, the first stage of the 2024 Diamond League. Subsequently, on August 5, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, defending his Olympic title from Tokyo 2020, he cleared the mark for another World Record jump of 6.25m.
While track and field star Duplantis spectacularly continues with his winning streak, using the well-known “Bubka-style” of getting World Records recognition, fans continue to wonder about the duality of his Swedish-American nationality from the point of competitive participation on the world stage. So, what are the dynamics behind this dichotomy?
Swedish coach responsible for Mondo’s decision
The 24-year-old Olympian, born to an American father, Greg, and a Swedish mother and heptathlete, Helena, was considered the No. 1 high school track and field recruit in 2018 before conquering at LSU.
That’s why Mondo Duplantis has dual citizenship in both Sweden and the United States. He can represent both the US and Sweden in competitions. Even though he grew up in an English-speaking household, he has gained expertise in Swedish. Now, during interviews, he can comfortably converse in both languages.
During a 2022 interview with Olympics.com, Duplantis’ Swedish youth coach, Jonas Anshelm, admitted that he “definitely wanted him in the team” and inspired the decision to represent Sweden.
Additionally, Duplantis chose to compete for Sweden as it allowed him to advance his pole vaulting career at a younger age due to fewer age restrictions in Sweden compared to the US. The legacy of pole vaulting runs in his family. Sweden also allowed Duplantis’ father, Greg Duplantis, a former pole vaulter, to coach him on the Swedish team, which was not permitted by the US team. Unlike the US, which relies on Olympic trials for qualification, Sweden looks at the overall records from their national team selection across the competitive season.