The Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis has set a new world record and reclaimed his Olympic title in pole vaulting at the Paris Games. In a thrilling conclusion to the fifth day of the athletics competitions at Stade de France, Duplantis cleared a height of 6.25 meters, which was met with a standing ovation from the 69,000-strong crowd. This achievement surpassed his previous record of 6.24 meters, which he set at the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen in April. It was notable as it marked the ninth time the Sweden-born athlete has established a world record.

In the competition, Team USA’s Sam Kendricks won silver with a jump of 5.95 meters, while bronze went to Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis, who achieved a height of 5.90 meters. With this gold medal, Duplantis became the first man to successfully defend his Olympic title in pole vaulting since American athlete Bob Richards did so in 1952 and 1956.

After his victory, wearing the Swedish flag and with ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” playing over the stadium, Duplantis took an emotional lap around the track, solidifying his status as one of the greatest athletes in the modern athletics world.