The detail no one caught – Armand Duplantis copied Norwegian genius – NRK Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule

– It was a bit greasy, actually. I thought no one discovered it there, grins Leif Olav Alnes after NRK has shown pictures of Duplantis in action in China.

Because the pictures after the record jump reveal that the Swede has taken action. The Puma shoes have gone through an ever-so-slight transformation since he won WC indoor gold a month and a half ago. The tip of the shoes has been upgraded.

There you will find a claw.

It is identical to the one Karsten Warholm has used since the WC in 2022.

Duplantis confirms to NRK that there has been a “mad scientist” in the picture. The superstar is naturally referring to Warholm trainer Alnes, who together with Puma has worked systematically with the shoes in recent years.

– I won’t necessarily attribute the success to that shoe, but at least it hasn’t made him any worse. I have never seen “Mondo” jump the world record so easily, so I don’t think he will change those shoes now, says Warholm to NRK.

Duplantis’ new world record shoe is a modified version of Warholm’s super spiked shoe. The biggest, visible difference is the thicker heel, which makes it better suited for jumping. Otherwise, they are quite similar to the Norwegian’s WC shoes from Budapest.

– Yes, the total worked, but we don’t know the contribution of it (the shoe). But I think he was very pleased himself. You almost have to ask him about that, adds Alnes, the mastermind behind the innovation.

Compared to Formula 1

World record holder in three steps, Jonathan Edwards, calls the development fantastic.

– Throughout my career, there were no technological advances. When you see what has happened, it is very strange. It’s strange that it took so many years, says Edwards to NRK.

He won a number of international medals from 1994 to 2002, and was one of athletics’ biggest icons at the turn of the millennium. Now he believes it gives the sport a new dimension.

– I think some people are negative about it, but I think it is positive. Formula 1 is a very good example where you have some fantastic drivers, but also the whole technological battle between the teams. I think that is on its way into athletics now, says Edwards.

The explanation behind the effect

Team Warholm has previously been critical of shoe development, and Alnes admits that there are still mixed feelings about it. Before, it was man against nature, and the results from different eras were easier to compare.

– Now there is a development where it tends towards becoming an equipment sport, he believes.

The “mad scientist” is educated biomechanic and has worked in this field for a long time. Alnes explains what this claw on the end of the shoe actually contributes to.

– It ensures that you have ground contact for longer, and where the energy stored in the shoe pushes you when your center of gravity is as far forward as possible. It corresponds to the most favorable possible time to create momentum.

– Why hasn’t anyone copied it?

– You can ask them about that, he says and laughs heartily.

PS! Karsten Warholm opens the season during the Bislett Games, 30 May. You can watch the Diamond League, EC, NM and Olympics on NRK.