Helena Hedlund, married to Duplantis, is the mother of Armand the world record holder in the pole vault, who brought the top of the world to 6.18m this winter before the pandemic broke out. She is a solid and determined woman, a former heptathlete, who passed on her incredible vitality to her three children.
Two days ago, Armand discovered at the airport that the airline, which was to take him to Monte Carlo for the first competitive Diamond League meeting of 2020, was not accepting to load his precious poles. After a few moments of understandable panic, Mrs. Duplantis found the solution: “Don’t worry, I’ll load my sister and your poles into the car and take them to Monte Carlo!”
It is almost 2,500 kilometers and the same for the return. A quick google check shows that the estimated travel time is 25 hours one way.
However, Helena’s feat paid off. Her 20-year-old son, Armand enjoyed a comfortable win in the pole vault competition of Friday’s Diamond League meeting with a world-best 6.00m.
Getting here and taking a few days off would not have been so bad, but there is a problem: Sunday Armand must also participate in the Swedish Championships in Upsala where he must bring points to his club…
So, Helena, immediately after the competition, will get into the car to take her son’s poles to Upsala in time for the next competition.
She is the true record holder in the world of mothers.
