Swedish pole vaulter Armand “Mondo” Duplantis recently unveiled his favorite color in a promotional initiative for the inaugural Ultimate Championship. The two-time Olympic gold medalist collaborated with World Athletics on the release of “Gold,” the official anthem for the upcoming competition, which features a significant prize pool of $10 million.
Scheduled to take place in Budapest from September 11-13, the Ultimate Championship will showcase top-tier athletes, including Olympic, world, and Diamond League champions, across three evening sessions. Winners of individual events stand to earn $150,000 in prize money.
Duplantis, aged 26 and also the world-record holder, has been exploring his musical talents for some time and previously debuted his first single, “Bop,” in 2025. Expressing his aspirations beyond athletics, Duplantis revealed his dream of clinching a Grammy Award someday.
The anthem “Gold” was co-written by Duplantis alongside Carl Silvergran and Oscar Chase, with Chase handling the production, as stated in the World Athletics announcement. Duplantis emphasized that the song symbolizes representing something greater than oneself, echoing the collective spirit found in both sports and music.
Accompanying the release is a music video shot in Budapest, featuring archival footage of Duplantis as a young athlete. In a statement, Duplantis shared his passion for music as a form of therapeutic escape from the demands of his athletic career.
During the Ultimate Championship, “Gold” will be integrated into the event’s broadcast and live experience to engage fans globally. Duplantis is set to perform the anthem live at the event’s conclusion, adding a unique touch to the championship’s festivities.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe commended Duplantis for creating the Ultimate Anthem, highlighting the event’s focus on celebrating athletes’ talents both on and off the track. The Ultimate Championship is set to become a biennial spectacle, uniting sports enthusiasts worldwide.
