Mondo Duplantis has wound his way up a carpeted staircase, passing under chandeliers and all the delicate trappings of a gorgeous 18th-century villa near Musée d'Orsay. He is clutching an espresso and is mildly apologetic for sounding so croaky. Around 14 hours have passed since the stunning jump, a world record, that garnished his Olympic pole vaulting title and it is fair to say he has not slept for many of them.
There have been childhood friends to party with and several months of intense dietary discipline to fleetingly cast aside.
"I was able to have some fried chicken last night and then pizza probably two hours ago, honestly," he says at a half-whisper. "So we are off to a good start."
This might be the morning after the night before but Duplantis has earned the right to kick back. The world has cottoned on to the fact he is a phenomenon, so utterly brilliant at a compelling, bizarre discipline that nobody really comes close.
"The competition is probably the best it's ever been, the level is very high," he says. "I just happen to be jumping at a little bit of a higher level than them. I think everyone else is doing their job quite well, I'm just jumping really good."
His clearance of 6.25m was a full 30cm higher than that of the silver medallist, Sam Kendricks.
What does it feel like when you are swinging into the night sky, hanging in the air and then swooping down to an enthralled reception from 80,000 punters? "Everything happens so fast, it's like my body just takes over in the moment. You're in a state where everything just flows naturally.
This story is from the August 07, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 07, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Do it for Gary Villa mourn 1982 hero on return to European elite
Unai Emery has said Aston Villa plan to dedicate victory to Gary Shaw if they beat Young Boys in the Champions League after the 1982 European Cup winner died yesterday aged 63.
A new dawn, or just the richest clubs winning in ever more lucrative ways?
Uefa's new format is not about greater jeopardy, explains Jonathan Liew, but its desire to supplant sporting integrity with the thrills of the TV game show
"That trophy, the moment lives with you for ever'
As Aston Villareturn to Europe's elite competition, we catchup with some of the squad who won the 198? final
'I literally just cried. I curled up into a ball'
Tom Curry feared a hip injury would end his career but the Sale and England flanker is back after gruelling recovery
Higher and higher Villa fans' lame resistance to ticket price greed gives hierarchy free pass
If the powers that be at Aston Villa were remotely concerned their decision to charge extortionately high prices for tickets to Champions League home games this season might lead to repercussions in the form of any sort of meaningful fan protest, they were sent a very clear message on Saturday night.
John Lewis Hopes that former Tesco boss will speed up retail revival
Jason Tarry started his first day as chairman of the John Lewis Partnership yesterday with a full in-tray, after his predecessor, Sharon White, handed over control.
Blow for Belfast shipbuilding as Harland & Wolff goes bust
Harland & Wolff, the owner of the Belfast shipyard that built the Titanic, is to enter into administration this week after failing to find new funding, in a blow to UK government hopes of shipbuilding in the city.
France's European commissioner quits in row with EU chief
France's European commissioner, Thierry Breton, has resigned, citing \"questionable governance\" at the EU executive led by Ursula von der Leyen.
Israeli strikes on residential buildings kill 16 in Gaza, officials say
At least 16 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across central Gaza on Sunday night and yesterday morning, including five women and four children, Palestinian health officials said.
At least 16 dead as 'catastrophic' rain and flooding hit central Europe
The death toll from torrential rain and flooding in central and eastern Europe rose to at least 16 yesterday, with several more people missing, as officials reported deaths in the Czech Republic, Poland and Austria, and warned the worst may be yet to come.