Duplantis Beats Warholm in 100m Showdown in Zurich

In an unprecedented showdown that captured the imaginations of athletics enthusiasts, Armand Duplantis, a double Olympic champion and world record holder in the pole vault, squared off against Karsten Warholm, the Olympic gold medallist and world record holder in the 400m hurdles, in a 100m sprint in Zurich on September 4, 2024. The event took place at the iconic Letzigrund Stadium, creating a unique spectacle as these champions from different disciplines competed outside their specialties.

At the start, Duplantis exploded off the blocks, swiftly taking the lead over Warholm. Throughout the race, he maintained his advantage, ultimately clinching the victory with a personal best time of 10.37 seconds, narrowly edging out Warholm by just 0.1 seconds.

The friendly rivalry between Duplantis and Warholm began during a training session and culminated in this eagerly anticipated race, showcasing their versatility and competitive spirit. While both athletes are not traditional sprinters, their athletic prowess was on full display, with Duplantis leveraging his quick acceleration necessary for pole vaulting and Warholm employing the speed and rhythm from hurdling.

Warholm and Duplantis will return to Zurich's track on Thursday to participate in their main events at a Diamond League meeting.