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On September 4, 2024, Zurich’s well-known Letzigrund Stadium will hold a never-before-seen face-off. Two world record holders from very different events will compete in a thrilling 100m sprint pushing past their usual limits and entering new ground.
Swedish pole vault star Mondo Duplantis riding high after his Olympic win and world record jump in Paris, will swap his pole for pure speed. Next to him Norwegian 400m hurdles ace Karsten Warholm will leave the barriers behind and test his skills in a flat-out dash.
This spectacular event, taking place on the night before the Diamond League, looks to be a truly gripping mix of raw athletic skill and friendly competition. And the Letzigrund Stadium, which has seen its share of big moments, will really make the perfect stage.
As these amazing athletes step out of their usual events (but not out of their comfort zones), we are all eager to see a race that celebrates friendly competition and shows off the full range of two top performers from track and field.
The challenge and contenders
This all came about when a social media video in July 2023 showed Duplantis and Warholm half-joking about racing each other.
This sparked the idea for the race that has athletics fans buzzing with excitement. Fans and other athletes loved the concept and persisted in asking for it. Over time, this materialised into something that will actually happen. Of course, the athletes’ admiration for each other and desire to compete also drove this. Ultimately, this shows that the fans rallying calls and social media can quickly create exciting team-ups in today’s sports. More power to the people is what we say and need.
Duplantis, a 24-year-old Swedish pole vault star, has gained a significant amount of popularity – and quickly too. His recent Olympic gold in Paris and world record jump of 6.25m cemented his place as a talent to watch. He clocked a 100m personal best of 10.57 seconds back in his high school days in 2018.
Warholm, 28, comes from Norway and is no small contender in the 400m hurdles. Even though he settled for silver in Paris, Warholm’s world record of 45.94 seconds from 2021 still stands. His range shows in his 100m personal best of 10.49 seconds, which he set back in 2017.
It’s clear that both athletes have shown their worth in their main events, breaking records and racking up medals. Their close 100m times also suggest we could see a close photo finish.
What are the odds?
Bookies have set some eye-catching odds for this one-of-a-kind face-off, with Warholm at 7/10 and Duplantis at evens (1/1) on most betting sites not on Gamstop. These odds hint at a tighter race than you might think at first, given their different backgrounds. However, it’s worth comparing different operators as you might find better odds, especially at overseas sites which tend to be more competitive.
Warholm’s edge at 7/10 odds comes from his sprint experience and his faster 100m best time. Bookies seem to value his start technique and sprint-focused training.
But Duplantis at evens offers an interesting bet. Though he’s a pole vaulter, oddsmakers see his explosive power and quick 100m best of 10.57 seconds from high school. This even-money offer shows bookies think Duplantis has a real shot noting his raw athleticism and recent world-record form.
The close odds show how hard it is to predict this matchup. Both athletes are stepping out of their comfort zones making it tough to guess their current 100m skills. Things like how fast they react at the start how they adjust mid-race, and their mental game could play big roles in who wins.
This creates an interesting chance if you wanted to place a few bets. Those who believe in Warholm’s sprinting might be safer to lean that way. On the other side of the coin, those who see potential in Duplantis’s initial power might be tempted by the even odds.
Having said this, it’s important to remember to bet within your budget when thinking about putting money on this type of athletics event.
Technical analysis
Warholm and Duplantis have different starting techniques that make for an interesting but important comparison. Warholm’s background gives him an advantage in power from the blocks, which helps gain speed quickly. Duplantis, who’s still used to a running start for pole vault, might struggle slightly with the initial burst.
When it comes to pace and top speed, Warholm’s stamina suggests he could keep up a solid momentum throughout the race. But Duplantis’s power might help him gain speed quickly once he gets going.
Ato Boldon, the 1997 world 200m champion, shares his thoughts on this, saying: “Warholm’s hurdles background gives him a slight edge in the start and first 30 meters. But Duplantis’s raw power could see him close strong. It’s anyone’s race in the last 20 meters”.
Their different training methods will have a big impact here. Warholm’s focus on sprint endurance could give him the upper hand in the last 50 metres, while Duplantis’s jumping exercises for pole vault might give him an edge at the very start of the race. The real question is whether this is enough to make a difference.
Either way, this really does highlight how unpredictable this matchup is, making it a truly unmissable event.
Not to be missed
This one-off face-off between Duplantis and Warholm will wonderfully demonstrate the adaptability and competitive drive of two of track and field’s top stars. As both athletes settle down into their starting positions, the result remains up in the air. Just remember to set a reminder to catch this landmark event which will, undoubtedly, grab the attention of sports fans around the globe and maybe even change how we think about athletes sticking to one specialty.
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