by Alfonz Juck
Sam Kendricks, photo by Getty Images / Diamond League
Piotr Lisek, photo by Getty Images / Diamond League
Mondo Duplantis, photo by Getty Images / British Athletics
An exciting pole vault battle in Stockholm. I love the 1912 Stadium. Not much has changed since the 1912 Olympics. Underneath the stands, there is a warm up area that was used by Paavo Nurmi and Jim Thorpe, among many others.
One cool evening in 2011, I watched Usain Bolt sign autographs with a bunch of kids lined up to meet the star. Enjoying an almost perfect evening of athletics, Stockholm is a wonderful city to celebrate athletics.
It was a cold night and Usain had all types of excuses to use to cut the time with fans quite short. I watched Usain sign autographs for 90 minutes with the kids. Usain laughed with the kids and took selfies, until it was just too cold. I thought Usain was a class act, and enjoyed seeing him keep the attention of the young Swedish fans.
The Bauhaus Stockholm meet was one of my favorites. The pressers were always a chance to get some big interviews and see who was ready to compete, as well as get caught up on track gossip. And, to be honest, Stockholm is a most excellent city to spend a couple late nights in.
Mondo Duplantis, Sam Kendricks and Piotr Lisek will all be in Stockholm. The fans love the pole vault and these guys know how to perform. I have reposted the presser from the Doha 2019 Men’s PV . Mondo, Sam and Piotr gave one of the best medal pressers ever. In it, Sam Kendricks gave an impassioned discussion o the pole vault and athletics. Mondo spoke on his love o the event and his need, constant need or competition. Piotr Lisek is just an amazing athlete who really enjoys his colleagues, and loves the sport.
Please check out the presser. I think that you will enjoy it.
Duplantis vs Kendricks vs Lisek
STOCKHOLM (SWE): Organisers of BAUHAUS-galan Wanda Diamond League on August 23 in Stockholm confirmed top fields for men and women pole vault and men discus. Daniel Stahl will face former World champion Andrijusz Gudzius, home rival Simon Pettersson, Slovenian talent Kristjan Ceh and Romanian Alin Firfirica. Mondo Duplantis is jumping against Sam Kendricks and Piotr Lisek. Also in the field Olympic winner Thiago Braz with Sondre Guttormsen and Raphael Holzdeppe with Ben Broeders. In women competition home stars Michaela Meijer and Angelica Bentgsson against Olympic winner Katerina Stefanidi, Briton Holly Bradshaw and Canadian Alysha Newman.
