Mondo Duplantis is doing his routine, something he does best – breaking the world record for the nth time. Yet every attempt still feels improbable. On Monday night in Tokyo, the Swedish pole vaulter produced his 14th world record, clearing 6.30 meters on his final attempt to defend his world title for a third time. The crowd of 57,000 stayed late into the night, long after other events had concluded, just to watch him try. And Duplantis gifted his fans with exactly their expectations and more – to witness a historic moment. One that came with $70,000 for the victory and another $100,000 for the record. But not everyone in the sport is entirely comfortable with how often he delivers these moments.

That unease, at least in jest, was voiced by the man who runs the sport. World Athletics pr

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