Sjöberg Bildbyrå AB
Stockholm Olympic Games 1912 - Premium poster with matte paper
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Poster with a picture of Harry Babcock's world record attempt in pole vaulting in Stockholm in 1912
In the summer of 1912, Stockholm was buzzing with Olympic excitement. The fifth modern Olympic Games had brought together the world’s top athletes, and among them stood Harry Babcock, a 21-year-old American with his sights set not only on winning gold but also on breaking the world record in pole vaulting. At Stockholm Stadium, under a clear July sky, he attempted to reach the dizzying height of 4.06 meters – a mark that would surpass the then world record. Babcock had already secured the gold with a jump of 3.95 meters, but his attack on the record height was proof of his hunger to push the limits. Although the bar fell after his attempt, his achievement became a milestone in the history of pole vaulting.
Just over a century later, another pole vaulter, Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, has taken the sport to new heights – literally. Like Babcock, Duplantis is a product of both talent and determination, but with a modern twist. Born in the United States but competing for Sweden, Mondo, with roots in Lafayette, Louisiana, and raised partly in Uppsala, has become the modern icon of pole vaulting. Like Babcock in 1912, Mondo has a knack for capturing the attention of audiences, not just with his jumps but with his willingness to challenge the impossible. Where Babcock aimed for 4.06 meters, Mondo has repeatedly raised the bar – both figuratively and literally – with a world record jump of 6.29 meters on August 12, 2025.
Babcock's approach on the dusty Stockholm track, with a bamboo pole and the technology of the time, may seem primitive compared to Mondo's high-tech carbon poles and precision-ground method. But their drive is the same: not just to win, but to redefine what is possible. Babcock defeated his rivals, such as Frank Nelson and Bertil Uggla, with a combination of physicality and determination. Mondo, for his part, has dominated contemporary stars such as Sam Kendricks and Renaud Lavillenie, often with a playful ease that belies his immense focus. When Babcock launched himself towards 4.06 meters and saw the bar tremble, he must have felt the same mix of hope and frustration that Mondo experiences as he chases another world record increase.
Babcock’s failed attempt became an inspiration for future generations, just as Mondo’s successes – and his courage to test the limits – inspire young athletes today. Babcock left Stockholm as an Olympic champion, but it is his ambition that echoes throughout history. In the same way, Mondo is not just a champion, but a symbol of what happens when talent meets a relentless desire to fly higher.
Our premium quality, heavier, white, matte paper has a natural, smooth, uncoated finish that feels luxurious to the touch.
