You’ve seen the clip. Everyone has. On a sunny afternoon at the Stade de France, a 21-year-old French athlete charged down the runway, planted his pole, and soared into the air. For a split second, it looked like he’d clear 5.70 meters. Then, the crossbar tumbled.
It wasn't a hand or a foot that did it. It was, well, his anatomy.
Social media exploded. Within hours, Anthony Ammirati went from a promising French Olympian to a global meme. But if you only know him as "that bulge guy," you're actually missing the real story of one of the most talented young vaulters in Europe.
The Reality of the Paris 2024 Incident
Let’s be honest: the internet can be a bit brutal. When the footage of the Anthony Ammirati pole vault attempt hit X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, it was served up with every baguette joke imaginable. But if you look at the technical footage—not the slowed-down memes—the physics are a bit more nuanced.
Ammirati was on his third attempt at 5.70m. He actually hit the bar twice before the viral "contact" happened. His shins clipped it first. Then his knees. By the time his midsection made contact, the bar was already vibrating and ready to fall.
He didn't lose the medal solely because of his physique, but the timing was just perfect for a viral sensation. He finished 12th in his group, missing the final.
"I’m a bit gutted," Ammirati told the French Athletics Federation after the event. "I was 100% physically, but I was missing a bit of pole vaulting in training to fine-tune the settings."
Basically, he felt good but lacked the technical "feel" that only comes from months of uninterrupted reps. He’d been dealing with a minor adductor injury leading up to the Games, which forced him to skip a few key competitions. In a sport where centimeters are everything, that lack of rhythm is a killer.
Beyond the Meme: A World-Class Talent
It’s easy to forget that you don't just "show up" at the Olympics. Anthony Ammirati is a legit phenom. Born in Grasse, France, in 2003, he started athletics at nine and was clearing bars by twelve.
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He isn't just a guy who went viral; he’s a champion. Look at his resume:
- World U20 Champion (2022): He took gold in Cali with a jump of 5.75m.
- European U20 Champion (2021): Gold in Tallinn.
- Personal Best: 5.81 meters.
To put that 5.81m into perspective, it's a height that would put him in the conversation for a podium spot at almost any major international meet. He’s the second-highest junior vaulter in history, trailing only the legendary Mondo Duplantis.
He’s also a reserve police officer. While he’s training to jump heights that would terrify most people, he’s also part of the national police force’s athletic program. It’s a common setup in Europe to help athletes fund their careers, but it adds a layer of "normalcy" to a guy who suddenly had 200,000 new Instagram followers overnight.
That $250,000 CamSoda Offer
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Shortly after the video went viral, an adult site called CamSoda reportedly offered Ammirati $250,000 for a one-hour webcam show.
The internet loved the headline. It was everywhere.
However, Ammirati handled it with a lot of class—and a bit of humor. On TikTok, he posted a video of himself eating in the Olympic Village with the caption: "POV: You create more buzz for your package than for your performances."
He eventually addressed the rumors in his comment section, making it clear that he never received an official offer of that size and, even if he had, he wouldn't have accepted it. He’s a professional athlete, not a content creator. He stayed focused on the track, even when the world wanted him to pivot to a very different kind of stage.
Why Pole Vaulting is Getting Harder
The Anthony Ammirati pole vault incident actually sparked a real conversation among track geeks about equipment and uniform design.
In the quest for aerodynamics, Olympic kits have become incredibly tight. While this reduces drag and prevents "fabric snags," it also leaves zero room for error. Most vaulters use specific "tucking" techniques or heavy compression gear to avoid exactly what happened to Anthony.
When you’re falling from 19 feet in the air, gravity doesn't care about your dignity. The margin between a "clean" clear and a "viral" fail is often less than the width of a finger.
What’s Next for Anthony Ammirati?
So, where is he now?
As we move into the 2026 season, Ammirati is still one of the top names to watch in the European circuit. He’s currently ranked among the top 35 vaulters in the world, and his focus is squarely on the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
He’s young. Most pole vaulters don't even hit their prime until their late 20s. Think about it—Sam Kendricks and Mondo Duplantis have years of "old man strength" on him. Ammirati has the raw speed and the height; he just needs the consistency.
Actionable Insights for Following the Sport:
- Watch the 2026 European Athletics Championships: This will be his next big test on the world stage.
- Follow his technical growth: Don't just look at the highlights. Check out his training montages on Instagram; they show the insane core strength required for this sport.
- Ignore the noise: The memes will always be there, but if you want to understand the sport, watch his 5.81m jump from 2022. That’s the real Anthony Ammirati.
The viral moment was a fluke of physics and bad luck, but the athlete behind it is the real deal. If he stays healthy, we’ll be talking about his medals in 2028, not his wardrobe.