Armand Duplantis in the pole vault at the World Athletics Indoor Tour meeting in Glasgow (© Dan Vernon)
Organisers of the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham have confirmed that Olympic pole vault champion and world record-holder Mondo Duplantis will compete at the World Indoor Tour Gold meeting on 19 February 2022.
The last time the Swedish megastar competed indoors in the UK was at the 2020 edition of this event in Glasgow where he cleared 6.18m to set a world record that still stands.
The Müller Indoor Grand Prix is back after a year’s hiatus and so is the Olympic champion, poised to thrill British crowds again at the Utilita Arena Birmingham.
“I’m really excited for the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham,” said Duplantis. “The event holds fond memories for me. Going over 6.18m and breaking the world record was a special moment.
“British fans are passionate, and they really know pole vault, which is great for us to compete in front of. I always like to look forward, not back, and with loads of big competitions this year I hope to start my season well.”
Duplantis is the latest star of the Tokyo Olympic Games to announce his intention to compete in the UK’s second city, following last month’s confirmation of Olympic 800m silver medallist and British record-holder Keely Hodgkinson.
The 22-year-old Duplantis has redefined one of the sport’s most awe-inspiring disciplines in recent years, clearing a world U20 record of 6.05m to win European gold in 2018, then claiming world silver in 2019 and setting two world records in 2020. Earlier this year he secured his first senior global title when taking gold in Tokyo with 6.02m.
Organisers for World Athletics
