A French pole vaulter has become a viral sensation following an unexpected mishap during the Olympic qualifying event at the Paris Games. Anthony Ammirati, aiming to reach the men’s pole vault finals scheduled for August 5, competed in the qualifications on August 3.
In a video that quickly gained traction online, Ammirati appeared to clear the bar on his jump, only for his groin area to inadvertently hit the crossbar, causing it to fall. Despite his efforts, the 21-year-old did not qualify for the finals, where Sweden’s Armand “Mondo” Duplantis is set to defend his Olympic title.
Ammirati expressed his frustration over the result, describing it as a “big disappointment.” He commented on his physical readiness, stating, “I was 100% physically, but I was missing a bit of pole vault.” He noted that the competition felt less stressful for him, as he saw himself as an outsider and focused primarily on enjoying the moment with the crowd.
The online response to his incident was mixed, with some social media users finding humor in the situation. One user on X remarked it was “the most peculiar way to lose a pole vaulting Olympic competition,” while another highlighted the commentators’ struggle to address what occurred.
However, pole vaulting coach Branko Miric clarified that it was not Ammirati’s groin that first hit the bar. “He definitely hit the bar with his legs first and was going to miss that attempt anyway,” said Miric. Ammirati had attempted to clear 5.70 meters during his third try, having successfully cleared heights of 5.40 and 5.60 meters previously. To advance to the finals, competitors needed to clear at least 5.80 meters.
Miric explained that it is common for athletes to struggle with the necessary depth to clear the bar, even if they achieve the required height. Ammirati ultimately finished in a tie for 15th place alongside several other competitors.