World Record Holder Armand Duplantis Set for Long-Awaited Return to London Stadium

Armand Duplantis, the reigning world record holder and one of the most dominant athletes in modern track and field, is set to return to the London Stadium for the first time in eight years. The Swedish pole vault superstar will compete in the London Diamond League this July, marking an emotional comeback to the venue where his global rise first began.

Now 26, Duplantis is a two time Olympic champion and has collected world and European titles throughout his career. Since 2020 he has rewritten the pole vault record book, raising the world record an incredible fourteen times. His most recent feat came at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where he cleared a remarkable 6.30 metres, further solidifying his status as one of the greatest vaulters in history.

His history with the London Stadium stretches back to 2017 when, at only 17 years old, he competed in his first World Championships. He finished ninth that year, but the experience left a strong impression on him. The following summer, he returned for the Anniversary Games and finished third behind Sam Kendricks of the United States and Renaud Lavillenie of France, both major stars in the sport.

Reflecting on his return, Duplantis said it feels long overdue. He described London as a venue with a special atmosphere, one that pushes athletes to perform at their best. He recalled that even as a teenager with little experience on the world stage, he could sense the energy of the crowd and the significance of competing at such an iconic setting. He said he is eager to return, not only for the excitement but for the chance to finally secure a victory in London, something he has never achieved.

Duplantis will also be targeting the meeting record of 6.03 metres, a mark set in 2015 by Renaud Lavillenie. Given his rapid progression in recent years and his consistent ability to perform under pressure, many fans believe he has a strong chance of surpassing that height.

The London Diamond League will be a one-day event featuring fifteen track and field competitions and is scheduled for 18 July 2026. The tournament is expected to draw a large crowd as the stadium prepares to host some of the world’s top athletes across sprinting, distance running, jumping, and throwing events. Duplantis’ return will undoubtedly be one of the main highlights as spectators look forward to witnessing another chapter in the career of an athlete who continues to redefine the limits of his sport.

For Duplantis, the event offers not only the thrill of competition but a symbolic return to the place where he took some of his earliest steps onto the world stage. This time, he arrives as a champion with world records, Olympic titles, and a legacy already in motion. London could be the setting for yet another memorable leap.