Pole Vault Sensation Duplantis to Champion Inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship
Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis, the celebrated pole vault champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been appointed as the ambassador for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship set to take place next year. This exciting role reflects the growing ambitions of athletics as the governing body seeks to elevate the sport on a global stage.
World Athletics announced that the Ultimate Championship will serve as a grand finale to the 2026 season, with plans to host the event every two years. As the designated ‘Star Athlete’ for this prestigious competition, Duplantis will be at the forefront of promotional efforts, collaborating with cultural figures from music, fashion, art, and film to showcase the championship.
Scheduled for September 11 to 13, 2026, in Budapest, the championship will feature a staggering $10 million in prize money, marking it as the richest payout in athletics history. Gold medallists will each receive $150,000, amplifying the stakes and excitement for the athletes involved.
Duplantis, who recently won his second world title in Budapest and broke his own pole vault world record for the 13th time by soaring to 6.29 meters at the Hungarian Grand Prix, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming event. “We’re always looking for new ways to ensure that the spotlight shines on athletics, and the Ultimate will light up Budapest,” he said.
Reflecting on his experiences in Budapest, Duplantis added, “I have great memories of winning world gold two years ago and remember the incredible atmosphere inside the stadium that night. It would be a dream to break the world record in front of a packed crowd next year.”
The championship will consist of 26 individual events, including 16 track events and 10 field events, along with two relays, notably featuring the new mixed 4x100m relay. Each session is designed to last less than three hours to maximize viewer engagement across global television audiences.
