Duplantis named first star of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship
Pole vault world record holder Armand Duplantis has been appointed as the very first “Ultimate Star” of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, just over a year before the inaugural event takes place in Budapest in 2026. In this new role, Duplantis will be part of an exclusive group of elite athletes who, alongside their sporting achievements, will help promote the new competition by showcasing their cultural passions—whether in music, fashion, art, or acting.
The World Athletics Ultimate Championship is a groundbreaking, revolutionary new international competition where the world’s best athletes will face off to determine the champion of champions. The event will be held every two years, serving as a fitting climax to the summer athletics season in years without an outdoor World Athletics Championships. The first edition in 2026 will be staged in Budapest, organized by the National Event Management Agency, World Athletics, and the Hungarian Athletics Association.
World champions, Olympic champions, Wanda Diamond League winners, and the year’s top performers will compete over three tense and thrilling days—September 11–13, 2026—to decide who is the best in the world.
Twenty-six athletes have already automatically qualified last summer as individual Olympic champions—Duplantis among them. The Swedish pole vault superstar claimed his second Olympic gold in Paris.
Since winning Olympic gold in Tokyo, the 25-year-old athlete has triumphed at every major global men’s pole vault competition. His most recent world title came in Budapest in 2023. Duplantis is no stranger to Hungary—at the 2025 Gyulai István Memorial, he thrilled the crowd and set his 13th world record.
Before returning to Budapest in 2026, Duplantis aims to further add to his incredible list of achievements, with his next stop being the outdoor World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
Speaking about promoting the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, Duplantis said:
“It’s an honor to be the first ever ‘Ultimate Star’ of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship. We are constantly looking for new ways to keep athletics in the spotlight, and the Championship will certainly light up Budapest. I have wonderful memories of my world title here two years ago, and I can still recall the incredible atmosphere in the stadium that night. My ultimate dream would be to break the world record here next year in front of a packed crowd. This event will showcase our sport like never before, and I can’t wait to be part of it.”
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe added:
“Mondo is one of our sport’s true superstars—not only an extraordinary talent on the track, but also a captivating personality off it. Whether through his incredible pole vault performances or his musical inspirations, Mondo is always at the center of attention, and we are thrilled that he is our first ‘Ultimate Star.’
We created this unmissable new event to ensure that every athletics season ends with a prestigious international championship that truly matters—to athletes, fans, media, and broadcasters alike. The stakes will be high—every session will be packed with finals. We can’t wait to see Mondo and the world’s best proudly representing their nations and delivering an unforgettable show for the audience.”
World Athletics has also unveiled the visual identity of the competition, reflecting its pioneering, bold, and dramatic spirit.
Maria Ramos, World Athletics Director of Brand and Marketing, said:
“Our goal was to create a brand that not only energizes athletes and fans but also stands out with its unique tone, ambition, and vision.”
Alongside the visual launch, the event’s official website went live on August 13, offering content in both English and Hungarian for athletics enthusiasts. If you’d like, I can also adapt this into a press release–style English version so it reads more like official international sports media coverage. That would make it sound even smoother for a global audience.