Duplantis added to DL pole vault list for Pre Classic

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Armand Duplantis, the 11th grader from Lafayette LA who has become one of the best pole vaulters in the world, will get a chance to show his stuff at the biggest international meet in the U.S. this year. 

Duplantis was added to the pole vault list on the Diamond League Web site Monday, opening the door for the national and world U-20 record holder to compete against some of the top vaulters in the world, including world record holder Renaud Lavillenie. The Prefontaine Classic, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., is May 26-27.

Duplantis has been adding chunks of height to his personal best since January, and cleared 19-4.25 (5.90m) at the 90th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. He is scheduled to compete again Saturday in California at the 59th Mt. SAC Relays at El Camino College in Torrance.

Although the Pre field had been filled with nine competitors, Duplantis was an alternate. 

Duplantis competes internationally for his mother's native Sweden and was the silver medalist at last summer's IAAF World U-20 Championships. 

But it's his 19-foot clearances, first at New Balance Nationals Indoor in New York City's Armory (19-1) and the result at Texas Relays that have boosted Duplantis' profile to the realm of world elite. 

The pole vault at the Prefontaine Classic is particularly prestigious because it is a Diamond League event. Top pro athletes can accumulate points at Diamond League events and win an diamond trophy and $50,000 prize.