Sometimes, having support is the biggest thing that an athlete needs to exert their dominance in the world. With several accolades to his name, Mondo Duplantis is often considered one of the greatest pole vaulters ever. And yet, his high-flying career couldn’t have achieved the heights without the right guidance. Lucky for him, he had what he needed right at home.

Like many other top athletes of the world, Duplantis found an inkling for sports from a young age. His parents Greg and Helena were both highly revered in the athletics scene during their own time. While Greg is projected as one of the main pillars that uphold Mondo’s incredible success, Helena has some boasting rights of her own.

Do you know Mondo Duplantis’s mother was also an athlete? Know more about Helena Duplantis

A former heptathlete, Helena was born into a family that lived and breathed athletics every day. Her father, Lars-Ake, was the head of the local athletics club who sought to use his experience as a former national-level pole vaulter to nurture new talents for the international stages. Participating in masters competitions till the age of 80, Lars-Ake was the first one who ignited the passion for sports in Helena.

In an interview with World Athletics, Helena recalled that she started going to the tracks as early as six years old. “…the long jump pit was pretty much my playground“, mentioned Mondo’s mother. After representing Sweden in international championships at the tender age of 18, Helenda moved to Louisiana State University, where she would eventually meet her husband Greg.

The couple has four children who all were exposed to athletics in their own backyard, thanks to Helena and Greg keeping multiple pieces of equipment stored just to make sure the younglings never got bored. And surely enough, all four siblings grew up to make athletics an integral part of their lives. While all of her children have become household names in individual sports, Helena also performed in several events during her career.

What sports did Helena Duplantis play in her career?

Helena Duplantis has posted her presence in hurdles, triple jump, long jump, 800m and 200m sprints, and high jump. She represented Sweden in the heptathlon with a personal best of 11.91m in the triple jump that she set in 1983. After moving to LSU, she also took up athletics and volleyball. Her accumulated experience over the years made her understand clearly the necessity for her to stand on her children’s corner, and that’s exactly what she did.

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In 2020, Helena sorted out a crucial situation for Mondo on his way to Monte Carlo for the Diamond League tournament, which added to his medal cabinet at the end of it all. Helena is always spotted in the stands at Mondo’s tournament, cheering for him, while also providing her son with crucial tips on how to triumph over his opponents. Interestingly, the mother could not hide her awe over her son, alike the entire world.

“He never stops surprising me and my husband with his results and his progression“, confessed Helena without hesitation. It remains to be seen how Helena’s own passion for sports continues to help Mondo achieve more dazzling results in the days to come.

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