French pole vaulter Walter Anthony Amirati narrowly missed out on a spot in the final of the men’s event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The 21-year-old faced an embarrassing moment during his performance on Saturday, which quickly made him a social media sensation.
Amirati’s mishap occurred during his third attempt to clear a height of 5.70 meters. Unfortunately, his crotch struck the bar, causing him to fall awkwardly to the ground. The incident left broadcasters baffled and unsure how to describe the scene. Despite making four attempts, Amirati managed a best height of 5.60 meters, finishing in 12th place, which was insufficient to qualify for the final.
This was Amirati’s sole event in the Paris Olympics, and he expressed his disappointment at not reaching the final. However, he maintained a positive attitude about the incident. Speaking through the French Athletic Federation, he said, “I am glad I can make people smile and laugh, and who knows, maybe this will be the start of something amazing.”
The results of the pole vault qualifications were as expected. Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis, the current world record holder, topped the qualification by clearing 5.75 meters on his first attempt. Norway’s Sondre Guttormsen finished second, and Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis took third. None of the athletes attempted the automatic qualifying mark.
Despite the setback, Amirati’s good spirits and humor in handling the situation have earned him admiration and support from fans worldwide.
