Mondo Duplantis on the importance of giving back to the fans: “I’m always down for a little lovin’”
In a way that few others can, Duplantis is able to send a crowd into a frenzy, and this connection with the fans has made him an icon inside and outside the athletics stadium.
It’s not often that a track & field athlete is as well known by their nickname as their birthname, but in the same way as the likes of LeBron and Neymar, Mondo has transcended the traditional boundaries of sport.
When he competes, there is an electric atmosphere in the stadium, and he feeds off the energy of the crowd.
“That’s what makes those moments special, the people that are there,” he explained. “And to be able to enjoy those types of record jumps and performances with the crowd, doing it with them is such a special thing. So of course, maybe being able to give a little bit of love and attention back onto them, [as] they’ve given me so much.”
But while he is well-known for the time he gives to the public and his generous approach to fans, first and foremost, Duplantis is a competitor — and one who has consistently pushed the bar higher in his pursuit of excellence.
“At the end of the day, you still have to focus on your own thing because I know I just want to jump as high as I can, and I think if I can give the best performance, that’s the most entertainment, that’s the most value for them,” he said.
“Then after the competition, of course, I’m always down for a little lovin’.”