The star status is not just about the results, according to Duplantis' agent Daniel Wessfeldt.
He looks good, has an easy way of expressing himself, is balanced. Then you get star status, in combination with the results, says Wessfeldt.
I've never experienced the attention around an athlete before. It's Brazilian TV, Colombian TV, Indian TV, Japanese TV – everyone wants to come and do reports about him. It doesn't work, we have to focus on the major Swedish media and then do a little with CNN, BBC and those we feel he has to be part of.
Former heptathlon star Carolina Klüft also believes that Duplantis is one of the world's greatest athletes.
He's complete. As a pole vaulter and athlete, definitely. But he's also mentally strong, incredibly humble and a good person, so he has everything, she says.
"A really weird thing"
The 24-year-old has no problem handling the pressure at competitions. His own expectations of himself are at least at the same level as those of others.
Now I'm more used to competing with more pressure, it just makes me better, he says.
However, it's not as easy outside the athletics arenas.
It stresses me more than competing. It can be a bit tough when you're out and about and everyone's looking at you and recognizing you. It's a really weird thing that's hard to get used to. It's unnatural, he says.
But then I can stay at home or go to the golf course – do something where I can be a bit private.
Safe home environment
That Duplantis, despite his young age, seems to handle the star status so well, Wessfeldt believes is due to his family.
He's extremely secure in that environment, and they've made sure he's never had the chance to become a so-called diva. But it's clear that there are times when he feels that it's enough now. Then I usually say that the only way to avoid a lot of this is to jump a meter lower, because then no one will come and ask for you. "Ah, that's right" he answers then.
The pole vault qualifying takes place on Saturday and the final is on Monday.
