PARIS – The 2024 Paris Olympics witnessed two French athletes becoming internet sensations on Saturday for contrasting reasons, capturing the admiration and attention of fans worldwide.
For swimmer Leon Marchand, the applause came after he secured his fourth gold medal of the Games, equaling the legendary Michael Phelps’ record from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Marchand’s exceptional performance in the pool has firmly established him as one of the greatest swimmers of his era.
“Anthony Ammirati”, a 21-year-old pole vaulter,
On the other hand, Anthony Ammirati, a 21-year-old pole vaulter, gained fame for a different and unexpected reason. During the pole vault qualification event, Anthony Ammirati cleared 5.40 meters and 5.60 meters on his first attempts but was unable to clear 5.70 meters. This unfortunate incident, which involved his crotch and ultimately denied him a medal, quickly went viral.
The track and field events at the Paris Olympics began earlier this week, with the pole vault qualification event taking place on Saturday. Despite Anthony Ammirati’s failure to advance to the finals, he handled the incident with humor and grace. The U20 World Champion from Colombia two years ago remarked through the French Athletic Federation, “I’m just glad I can make people smile and laugh. And who knows, maybe this will be the start of something amazing!”
He won and lost at the same time 😂 pic.twitter.com/JUkzuWYdfc
— Dudes Posting Their W’s (@DudespostingWs) August 3, 2024
The pole vault qualifiers produced expected results, with Mondo Duplantis of Sweden, the current world record holder, topping the qualification by clearing 5.75 meters on his first attempt. Norway’s Guttormsen Sondre finished second, and Greece’s Karalis Emmanouli took third. None of the athletes attempted the automatic qualifying mark of 5.80 meters.
Marchand’s historic achievement and Anthony Ammirati’s viral moment both received rounds of applause from the audience, showcasing the Olympic spirit where triumphs and good sportsmanship are celebrated equally.
As the Paris Olympics progress, both athletes continue to be in the spotlight, embodying the resilience, humor, and dedication that define the essence of the Olympic Games.