Armand Duplantis back in Brf Block this summer – “I really appreciate Uppsala”

World star Armand Duplantis continues to commute between his family in the US and his home in Brf Block in Uppsala. We asked him what he likes most about Uppsala, the differences between the US and Sweden – and the detail of his home he can’t live without.

Much has happened in the past year for pole vaulter Armand Duplantis. In February 2020, he first broke the six-year-old world record with a jump of 6.17 meters, and a week later broke his own record by jumping 6.18 meters in Glasgow. Since then, ‘Mondo’ has received the Bragd Gold, the Jerring Award, and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Male Athlete of the Year Award.

He currently represents Uppsala IF and in May 2020, Armand chose to look for a permanent home in Sweden as well after previously living in the arena hotel. The choice fell on FFAB’s newly constructed Brf Block on Kapellgärdet.

– I really appreciate Uppsala. It’s super cozy and in some ways reminds me of Lafayette, Louisiana where I grew up. Living in Brf Block is great because it is perfectly located for me – it is both close to the IFU arena, where I usually practice, and at the same time it is close to both the city center and the train station. I will definitely come back to Uppsala this summer!

What is important to you to make you feel at home?

– A sense of community is very important to me. Just like where I live in Louisiana, Uppsala is a genuine university town, which I really appreciate. Also, Uppsala is a very beautiful city, especially in summer.

What is the difference between how people choose to live in Sweden compared to the US?

– There is of course quite a big difference if you compare the culture in Louisiana with what it is here in Sweden. Everything is so spread out in the US, especially in Louisiana. There are actually quite a few people living in apartments there. Louisiana residents want to live in houses on large plots of land because there are not as dense neighborhoods as there are here in Sweden. To be honest, I see the beauty in the differences and I’m glad that I get to experience both sides.

How would you describe your interior design style?

I’m quite lazy when it comes to interior design (laughs). To feel at home, all I really need is a sofa and a TV. But my mom is here with me a lot so she helps me with the rest. I’ve been lucky enough to win quite a few trophies over the last few years so they make great decorations when I can’t be bothered to buy anything else. But if I have to mention one thing that I really wouldn’t want to live without, it’s my bathtub – especially when I’m here in the winter.

What does your future dream home look like?

I can’t think of many things I would need in my dream home. I am a fairly simple person. For me, the most important thing is to be in a place I really like and to have the right people around me.