2024-05-01 04:00:11
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 1 Subject: Olympic gold medals are more important than records – exclusive interview with pole vault star Duplantis
Wu Junkuan and Dong Yixing, journalists from Xinhua News Agency
At the end of April, Swedish pole vaulter Duplantis came to China to compete for the first time. In two Diamond League events held a week apart, he not only won the championship, but also set a new world record in Xiamen. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency reporters at the Yangtze River Delta station, Duplantis said he was deeply impressed by his first trip to China. Looking ahead to the Paris Olympics this summer, he believes winning a gold medal is more important than breaking a world record.
“It was my first match in China (Diamond League Xiamen Station), and I also broke the world record, so they are all good memories.” Duplantis said: “I know I’m in good shape, and I also knew (breaking a record) was possible, but it was a bit difficult for me to come to China for the first time, I had problems of sleep and jet lag because China was so far away and I slept most of the day. I do it at night so I can stay up late and do well in the competition.
At the Diamond League Xiamen competition on April 20, Duplantis improved his own world record by 1 centimeter with a score of 6.24 meters, and he cleared the bar at all heights, demonstrating excellent competitive performance . At the Yangtze River Delta International Athletics Games held in Suzhou on April 27, he easily jumped over the 6-meter horizontal bar and won the championship early. He then set out to set the ninth world record of his career, but unfortunately failed to jump to a height of 6.25 meters in three attempts.
Duplantis said not only did he win championships and world records in China, but the two games were separated by regarding a week, giving him the opportunity to visit and experience the unique culture of the China.
“This is a whole new culture for me, with unique architecture and cuisine. I know I only briefly appreciated a small part of Chinese culture. There are so many things worth experiencing and felt. Only one week is far away. It’s not enough. “But it obviously won’t be my last time in China. I hope to have the opportunity to participate in the competitions in Suzhou and Xiamen next season, as well as the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing in 2027. ” Championships in Beijing, so I think I will come to China often to experience Chinese culture as deeply as possible.
There are less than three months left before the opening of the Paris Olympic Games. As the reigning champion, Duplantis said it would be wonderful to set a new world record in Paris, but the most important thing is to win the competition and set course. at home the gold medal.
He said: “I hope to reach my best condition in Paris, I think I can do it, and then it will depend on how high I can jump. For athletics, nothing is more important than the Games Before the Paris Olympics, I think there are still 5 games left. Continuous participation is very important to maintain the feeling of play. Through competition, we can hone our skills, find the rhythm and feel of the game. ‘use the rod. place before the Paris Olympics.
When he first broke the world record in 2020 with a height of 6.17 meters, Duplantis said he fulfilled his dream he had when he was 3 years old. When asked why he had such big dreams at such a young age, he replied: “I have always had such dreams since I was a child. I am a dreamer, world records, champions Olympics, I want everything. I think it’s important for kids to dream big. I always set high goals, and sometimes I succeed, and sometimes I don’t, but if you don’t believe you can. do it, then you do nothing.”
In four years, Duplantis rewrote world records eight times, winning one Olympic championship, two world championships, two world indoor championships and three Diamond League finals. In the men’s pole vault competition, as long as Duplantis can perform normally, there is a good chance that the champion will not fall behind. At 24, he became track and field’s hottest star. Faced with applause and flowers, Duplantis always remained calm and focused.
“I don’t think too much regarding what others think of me. I just want to enjoy the moment and keep trying to jump to new heights. I hope to stimulate all my energy and maintain excellent results. He said : “I am.” very interested, I have a lot of confidence in myself when I go on the field, I know that I have the best chance to be the one who stays at the end and who jumps the highest. It’s up to them how they see me. It’s not up to me. Whatever I do on the pitch, I’ll make sure I give it my all and dedicate myself to it every time, no matter what people think. I will let it go” (Interview participant: Chen Si, Zhao Yanchao, Wang Hengzhi, Xu Dongyuan)
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