re: Mondo Duplantis is jumping in World Games

It’s very tough to compare, especially because Mondo is the greatest pole vaulter of all time and likely will be dominating for another decade.

The US has had many very good pole vaulters. The guys who get second place (Nilsen, Kendricks) are the only people who have ever beaten him but it was when Mondo was younger. But comparing Mondo’s endorsement potential to the second best pole vaulter is like comparing Shaun White/Usain Bolt/Michael Phelps, hell even Tony Hawk, to the second best people in their events. It’s not an accurate comparison. Mondo is just that damn good.

It’s also interesting how the Mondo threads always bring up people who act like the trials are arbitrary and imo overstate the general popularity of track in Europe. And there are also comments imo overplaying his Swedishness considering he could only speak a few words a couple of years ago and is taking lessons as an adult for marketing purposes.

Which is fine and certainly doesn’t make him a traitor but it’s overplaying his choice as a teenager to compete for Sweden.

This is coming from someone who a) loves track and field and follows the sport actively and b) has spent a pretty decent amount of time abroad. It’s bigger than it is here but the average Italian, Spaniard, or German will not look at Mondo as a global star like if he played soccer. Just like in the US, most people can name Bolt. And maybe 1-2 people from their country with recent success.

I’m sure he is huge in Sweden and probably a top 5 endorser for that market, although again he will be way behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic and in the same league as some solid soccer players who aren’t really world class.