Armand Duplantis is the reigning king of pole vault, having set a new world record of 6.24 meters at the first Diamond League meeting of the 2024 season in Xiamen, China. This broke his own record of 6.23 meters set in September at the Eugene Diamond League finale.
Duplantis is now a dominant force in the sport, having broken the world record eight times. His incredible performance in Xiamen sets him up as a firm favorite heading into the Paris Olympics later this year. With two Olympic gold medals and two world outdoor championships under his belt, there’s no doubt that he’ll be competing for glory on the global stage once again.
In addition to Duplantis’ impressive performance, several female athletes made their mark on the track and field scene in Xiamen. Australian Torrie Lewis won her first-ever Diamond League gold medal with a time of 22.96 seconds in the women’s 200m event, beating out strong American competition including Sha’Carri Richardson who finished second with a time of 22.99 seconds. Marileidy Paulino also had an excellent showing in the women’s 400m, while Jasmine Camacho-Quinn dominated the women’s 100m hurdles event with a time of 13.18 seconds. These performances showcase just how talented female athletes are in track and field and set up an exciting season ahead for all to watch.
Overall, it was an impressive day for both Duplantis and other talented athletes at the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, setting up a thrilling season leading up to
