In an unexpected twist at the IAAF Diamond League meet in Zurich on September 4, 2024, Swedish pole vault sensation Armand Duplantis edged out Norwegian 400m hurdles star Karsten Warholm in a one-off 100m sprint exhibition. The race, held as part of the pre-event festivities, drew considerable attention from athletics fans, eager to witness two of the sport’s most iconic figures face off in a different format. With Duplantis clocking an impressive 10.37 seconds and Warholm trailing close behind at 10.47 seconds, the contest proved to be as entertaining as it was unconventional.
The showdown between Duplantis and Warholm came about after some light-hearted banter between the two athletes during joint training sessions ahead of last year’s Monaco Diamond League. What began as casual teasing about each other’s sprinting abilities evolved into a serious challenge, resulting in the “100m to settle it all” event in Zurich. Duplantis, a pole vault world record holder who has broken the mark 10 times, put his raw speed to the test, showcasing his prowess beyond the vaulting runway.
As the race began, Duplantis, wearing a boxer-style blue robe during his entrance, got off to a blistering start. His explosive acceleration immediately distanced him from Warholm, who, despite his renowned endurance and hurdling skills, struggled to close the gap. Duplantis even glanced over at his opponent as he crossed the finish line, clearly savoring the moment. Warholm, a three-time world champion and the current world record holder in the 400m hurdles, was gracious in defeat, commenting, “He had a great start, congrats.”
Duplantis’s victory didn’t come without some good-natured consequences for Warholm. As per the agreement between the two athletes, Warholm will now wear a Swedish national team jersey during the main Diamond League event, adding a humorous twist to their rivalry. The race was just as much about entertainment as it was about competition, with the two superstars delivering a thrilling, high-energy performance in front of around 2,500 spectators, who had paid up to 100 Swiss francs to witness this unique spectacle.
While Duplantis and Warholm typically compete in very different disciplines—pole vaulting versus hurdling—this race offered a rare glimpse of their athletic versatility. The camaraderie and mutual respect between the two stars were evident, even as they battled it out on the track. Both athletes are known for their dominance in their respective events, but Duplantis’s speed out of the blocks demonstrated that he might have a future as a sprinter if he ever decided to switch disciplines.
For casual sports fans and track and field enthusiasts alike, the Zurich exhibition race was a welcome break from the usual format of competition. It was fun, lighthearted, and showed that even elite athletes enjoy stepping out of their comfort zones. The race wasn’t just a crowd-pleaser—it also reinforced the importance of athleticism, speed, and mental toughness across all track and field events.
Duplantis’s win might spark more cross-discipline challenges between elite athletes, as the race proved that audiences are eager to see stars from different corners of the sport go head-to-head in unexpected matchups. Whether Duplantis and Warholm ever square off again remains to be seen, but for now, the Swedish pole vaulter holds bragging rights over his Norwegian rival.
The event highlighted how much athletics is about more than just world records and Olympic medals—it’s also about pushing boundaries, having fun, and engaging fans in new and exciting ways. The Diamond League continues to innovate, offering fans moments like this that go beyond the traditional format and elevate the sport’s entertainment value.
