The 100-meter event held by Weltklasse Zurich, in collaboration with Red Bull and Puma, before the Zurich Diamond League, revealed several encouraging aspects of track and field. The entertainment aspect was evident when Armand “Mondo” Duplantis and Karsten Warholm engaged in combat, but the neutral event demonstrated the athletes’ unity regardless of their nationality or staple events. A prime example of this camaraderie? Mondo and Fred Kerley when Kerley unexpectedly stepped in to offer the pole vaulter some pointers for the race.

Mondo didn’t shy away from admitting that Kerley’s tips for improving his starting blocks played a crucial role in his race against Warholm. But here’s the kicker: during the “Ready Set Go” podcast, Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green gave a shout-out to another athlete who lent a hand to the Swedish record-breaker.

It was Vernon Norwood. While talking about his help for Mondo, Green went deeper, saying, “They had the alumni Vernon Norwood helped them too, man, you know they both are LSU alumni.” However, the episodes of asking for help and finally receiving it started dramatically. 

After the announcement of the 100m between Mondo and three-time world champion Karsten Warholm, the former knocked at the doors of three people—to improve his blocks. However, among those three individuals, LSU track and field coach Dennis Shaver put a line on X in reply, “Mondo. You got this!” The next individual, Sha’Carri Richardson, didn’t ring back on X. 

However, the third, Vernon Norwood, posted, “I got you king!” The common thread linking these names? Their LSU roots. So, before stepping into this unique 100-meter event, the 24-year-old Mondo leaned on his alma mater connections, and they were all in to lend a hand. As Justin Gatlin put it, this collaboration is exactly what made the event special.

On his “Ready Set Go” podcast, the four-time world champion praised the sense of community: “Shout out to them, man, that’s what a real community is.” This vibe of a true track family was front and center as Mondo entered the event with an entourage that seemed to include everyone who mattered.

From his LSU crew, Sha’Carri Richardson and Vernon Norwood, to the predecessor-successor connection with Renaud Lavillenie, and even the track bromance with Fred Kerley and Letsile Tebogo—it was a full house! Now, speaking of his bond with Kerley, the two-time Olympic champion had some particularly warm words for the American.

Fred Kerley backing, Mondo Duplantis underscores the much-needed camaraderie in track and field 

On the race day, Fred Kerley re-shared an X-post where a connoisseur had congratulated him for supplying invaluable tips to Mondo Duplantis. With his magical wit, the former world champion captioned the post, “Coach kerley in the building.” He also accepted flowers for improving Mondo’s blocks, which had helped to bundle the duel in 10.37 seconds. In the meantime, he revealed the American sprinter’s part in the play. 

Before the Zurich duel, Mondo and Fred met at the Lausanne Diamond League. There, they shared a few practice sessions between them to sharpen the starting blocks. “We did blocks together, and that was so necessary because I have been doing them by myself. You really cannot replicate the feeling of having somebody on your side, and that was a lot of speed on my side, which was something I needed, and it felt right,” Duplantis had to say. Furthermore, before the high-voltage race, Fred Kerley shared a few pointers with Mondo to motivate him. 

Witnessing the turn of events, he was left in awe. He couldn’t quite wrap his head around the complete transformation in his technique and the key elements that had brought it all together. With a smile, he admitted, “It was nice to get some advice.” According to the track veterans, this moment is proof of the camaraderie in athletics. It showed that cooperation can thrive among competitors, crossing all national boundaries.