Duplantis granted waiver, OK'd for Texas Relays

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Armand Duplantis spent a week in limbo, wondering whether his high school eligibility would be hung up by a state association rule. 

On Tuesday morning, he and his family learned that he had been granted a waiver, thanks in part to pressure from high ranking politicians within the Louisiana state government. 

Duplantis is free and clear to vault this weekend against Renaud Lavillenie, and others in an elilte men's field, at the 91st Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. 

Greg Duplantis, Mondo's father, said early Tuesday morning that he was expecting the LHSAA to rule in his son's favor. He had heard "from several very reliable sources (One being the Governor's office) that the ruling will be in favor of Mondo competing at Texas Relays."

Mondo Duplantis, the 2017 Gatorade Boys National Track and Field Athlete of the Year, broke the World U-20 record at Texas Relays last year when he vaulted 19 feet, 4.25 inches. 

Duplantis finished seventh competing for Sweden at the IAAF World Indoor Championships on March 4 in Birmingham, England. 

The threat of losing eligibility arose last week and hinged on an interpretation the LHSAA's seldom imposed "independent team rule."

As it stands now, that roadblock has been cleared.

"We are tremendously relieved and thankful," Greg Duplantis said. "There are so many people whose efforts had an impact. We would like to thank everyone."