On joining the elite field in Shanghai/Suzhou, Duplantis said: "I always wanted to compete in China and now it will finally happen. I really look forward to it and hope to see a big crowd!”
No athlete in history has made as many clearances over 6m as the Swede, with the 6.23m he jumped in Eugene to take the 2023 Diamond League title the seventh time he has broken the world record.
24-year-old Duplantis has had an unblemished season so far and comes into 2024 as the two-time reigning world champion having successfully defended his title in Budapest. Last weekend he took the gold in Glasgow during World Indoor Championships.
Meeting director Ellen van Langen: “I am happy to be back after five years in China with the Shanghai/Suzhou Diamond League and it is great to be able to announce Mondo Duplantis first, being the number one athlete in the world. I am curious what he’ll be able to perform with the support of the Chinese crowds.”.
Shanghai/Suzhou will see many of the world's best offer the first glimpse of their Olympic-year form with star-studded fields to be revealed soon offering showpiece events. Highlights in track events include the men's 100m, 800m and 5000m and the women competing over 200m, 400m as well as a variety of other events, all in one jam-packed day. Highlights in field events include men’s pole vault and women’s shot put.
The second of 15 Diamond League fixtures will offer all important points in the quest for the Brussels final, to be held on 13-14th September.