Mondo Duplantis relishes win at lakeside pole vault event and just misses world record

Mondo Duplantis reveled in victory at a picturesque lakeside Diamond League pole vault event on Thursday, describing it as "the greatest pole vaulting competition ever." The Olympic and world champion narrowly missed a world record of 6.32 meters during the first annual event held near the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Duplantis cleared the bar at 6.21 meters, achieving first-time clears at six different heights for his best result since March 2023 when he raised his own world record to 6.31 in Sweden. Emmanouil Karalis, Duplantis' close friend and rival, cleared 6.16 during the competition, failing on his second attempt at a personal best of 6.21.

Three other athletes reached 5.91 meters, which would have earned them a bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Duplantis had previously set a world record of 6.25 and silver medalist Sam Kendricks finished with a leap over 5.95 meters. The half-day event, known for its intimate setting by Lake Geneva, was a traditional opening act for the main Athletissima meeting the following day.

On Friday, Swiss newcomer Audrey Werro will compete in the women's 800 meters, aiming to break the world record she set 43 years ago, currently the third-fastest in history.