
Two-time world champion pole vaulter Sam Kendricks chatted with Markos Papadatos about his plans for 2020 (which include the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo), setting a new American indoor record, and he shared if there will be a Sam Kendricks Challenge No. 3.
On February 8, Kendricks broke the American indoor record in the pole vault with a clearance of 6.01 meters. “The cool thing about jumping the American record on Saturday night was that I got to contribute to the legacy of our event in my own way since, at the same time, Mondo Duplantis broke the world record in Poland,” he said.
“I can’t think of a better way for people to get more interested in our sport than showing them the best of it, and that’s what we did, for sure,” Kendricks added.
Kendricks had nothing but the kindest remarks about Mondo Duplantis. The camaraderie that Kendricks has with Duplantis and his fellow pole vaulters is quite remarkable. “I have been talking to Mondo all day,” Kendricks admitted.
He also complimented fellow American pole vaulter Sandi Morris for attempting to break the women’s pole vault world record at the Millrose Games in New York. “Track and field pole vaulting is the one to watch this year,” he exclaimed.
The Mississippi native is looking forward to the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon in mid-June of 2020. “The new stadium will be finished,” he said. “They rebuilt Hayward Field into a modern stadium. It should be a renowned stadium in the United States, a true track and field-dedicated stadium that will be a home for generations of athletes to come.”
When asked if there will be a Sam Kendricks Challenge No. 3, he responded, “Well, probably since Mondo blew the other two challenges out of the water. Mondo and I need to collaborate on the next one. I have to make another one soon.”
Kendricks defined the word success as “appreciating what you gave in the sport, and you hopefully took something home because of it.”
For his fans, Kendricks concluded, “Thank you. I only hope to compete my best and wear my uniform with pride. You need to understand your destiny in sports.”