The sporting world is abuzz with anticipation as two of its brightest stars, Armand Duplantis and Karsten Warholm, prepare to clash in a highly unusual 100m race. This exhibition match, taking place in Zurich on Wednesday, is a far cry from their usual disciplines – Duplantis, the world record holder in pole vault, and Warholm, the reigning 400m hurdles champion.
The idea for this unique matchup originated in a playful exchange between the athletes during the 2023 Monaco Diamond League. What started as friendly banter quickly caught the attention of fans, who were captivated by the prospect of seeing these two titans go head-to-head in a new challenge.
“I think it was my suggestion,” Duplantis confessed at a press conference, “It’s starting to settle in now. When I got here and saw the whole setup, it’s all official. Before I was just relaxed and this was just s**t talking with two people challenging each other.”
Warholm echoed the excitement, “When the handshake goes down, it always has to happen. For both me and Mondo, this makes sense. Mondo and I didn’t create the hype, I think the event has created its own hype. People want to see this. It’s something new, it’s something that excites. I don’t even know myself who’s going to win, but I would not be shaking his hand if I wasn’t confident, that’s for sure.”
Both athletes have experience in the 100m, though not at the same level as their primary disciplines. Duplantis last raced the 100m in 2018, with a personal best of 10.57 seconds (wind-assisted). Warholm’s best 100m time came in 2017, clocking in at 10.49 seconds.
This match promises to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the raw athleticism and competitive spirit of two of the world’s greatest athletes. While the outcome remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the excitement surrounding this event is reaching fever pitch.
