Armand Duplantis set a new pole vault world record of 6.24 meters at the first Diamond League meeting of the 2024 season in Xiamen, China. This broke his own record of 6.23 meters set in September at the Eugene Diamond League finale. Duplantis easily cleared the bar and celebrated his achievement at his first outdoor event of the year. This was the eighth time he broke the world record, establishing himself as a dominant force in the sport.
Duplantis, the Olympic and two-time world outdoor champion, is now the firm favorite heading into the Paris Olympics later this year. He recently added a second world indoor title to his resume in March, showcasing his versatility and skill in the pole vault event. His incredible performance in Xiamen sets the stage for an exciting season leading up to the Games.
In the women’s events, Australian Torrie Lewis made a stunning debut at the Diamond League by winning the 200m gold with a time of 22.96 seconds. She beat a strong field of American competitors, including Sha’Carri Richardson, who finished second in 22.99. Marileidy Paulino won the women’s 400m, and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn dominated the women’s 100m hurdles event. These performances highlighted the talents of female athletes in track and field and set the stage for an exciting season ahead.