Pole Vaulting Misadventure: French Athlete Anthony Ammirati Goes Viral for Unusual Reason
By THEDISPATCH.DIGITAL TEAM
French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati became an unexpected internet sensation for a reason he would have preferred to avoid. Competing in front of a packed home crowd at the Stade de France on Saturday, August 3, the 21-year-old narrowly missed securing a spot in the men’s pole vault final due to a most unusual mishap.
During his second attempt at clearing 5.70 meters, Ammirati’s leg initially disturbed the bar, but it was ultimately his bulge that dislodged it, preventing a successful vault. The moment, captured on video and shared widely on social media, quickly went viral.
Ammirati, dressed in a tight leotard, was aiming to clear the height but fell short due to his manhood making contact with the bar. The incident left him in 15th place, well outside the qualifying range for the final.
Social media users were quick to react, with many making light-hearted comments about the unfortunate event. “Not the worst thing in the world losing a gold medal because you’re packing a French baguette,” joked one user on X, formerly Twitter. Others humorously noted that Ammirati was “vaulting with the wrong pole.”
Despite the disappointment, Ammirati remained composed. In a statement from the French Athletics Federation, he expressed his regret but also his enjoyment of competing in front of a home crowd. “It’s a big disappointment,” he said. “The conditions were good. It’s the first time I’ve started a competition without any stress. As I was a total outsider, I only had one goal: to play with the audience. I was almost there.”
While the incident marked a low point in Ammirati’s Olympic journey, it also highlighted the lighter side of sports. Fans and commentators alike found humor in the situation, with some even imagining a new Olympic flag in his honor, playfully altering the traditional rings.
Excerpt
“French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati became an unexpected internet sensation after a viral video showed his bulge dislodging the bar during an Olympic attempt. Despite missing out on the final, social media users humorously celebrated his ‘genetic lottery win.’ Ammirati, who remained gracious, expressed disappointment but was glad to compete in front of a home crowd..”