Widely regarded as one of the greatest pole vaulters of all time, Mondo Duplantis was one of the most flamboyant stars of the Paris Games, winning a second straight Olympic gold medal and breaking his own world record for the ninth time, before shattering it once again in the Silesia Diamond League meeting the following month.

He also won the World Indoor Championship gold for the second time. Duplantis is also a two-time world outdoor champion and European champion. In December 2024, the Swede was named male Field Athlete of the Year by World Athletics.

In Madrid, Duplantis was presented with his Laureus statuette by five-time Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, Novak Djokovic. 

“Truly I am honoured and I think it’s really great what Laureus is doing," the pole vaulter said. "Not only for honouring the best athletes in the entire world but also, everything behind the scenes and the work done for the development of the youth and helping out people who don’t always have the same access [to sport] as everybody else.”

Duplantis thanked his family and team for their unwavering support and then, in discussion with Djokovic, hinted at what's to come as he prepares for the 2025 World Athletics Championships.

Watch his full speech below.