It's a weird vibe in track and field right now. If you spend any time on Instagram or TikTok, you’ve probably seen them: the female pole vaulter clips that seem to go viral every other week. Usually, it’s a slow-motion shot of a vault, some upbeat music, and a comment section that is... well, exactly what you’d expect from the internet.
But here’s the thing. There’s a massive gap between the "social media famous" version of this sport and what’s actually happening on the runway in 2026.
Honestly, most people think these athletes just stumbled into fame because of a lucky camera angle. That’s a total myth. The reality is that the women leading the sport today—names like Molly Caudery, Alysha Newman, and the Moll twins—are navigating a bizarre tightrope walk between being world-class elites and full-time content creators.
The "Stokke Effect" and Why 2026 is Different
You can't talk about this without mentioning Allison Stokke. Back in 2007, a single photo of her at a high school meet changed the sport forever, but not in a way she wanted. She became the blueprint for the "viral female pole vaulter" before she even had a chance to define herself.
Fast forward to today. The "Stokke Effect" hasn't gone away, but the athletes have seized the narrative. They aren't victims of the algorithm anymore; they’re the ones feeding it.
Take Molly Caudery, for example. The British record holder and 2024 World Indoor gold medalist is arguably the face of the sport right now. Heading into the summer of 2026, she’s been incredibly vocal about "playing it safe." She recently mentioned she won't even run for a train without a proper warmup because the stakes—the European Championships and Commonwealth Games—are just too high.
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She has hundreds of thousands of followers, sure. But she’s also clearing 4.80m to 4.90m on the regular. That's the part the "casual" fans often miss. You don't get to that height by just being "photogenic." You get there by surviving double Achilles surgeries and freak accidents where you almost lose a finger in the weight room (which actually happened to her).
The Business of the Bar: OnlyFans and Brand Deals
Let’s get real about the money. Track and field is notorious for being "broke." Unless you're winning every Diamond League meet, the shoe contracts from Nike or Puma barely cover rent and travel.
This has led to a fascinating, if controversial, shift. Alysha Newman, the Canadian bronze medalist from Paris 2024, made waves by being one of the first major track stars to openly use OnlyFans to fund her career.
Newman is a three-time Olympian. She owns the Canadian record at 4.85m. Yet, she’s been blunt about the fact that amateur sports don't pay the bills. By 2026, her "Raise the Bar" brand is a case study in how a female pole vaulter can monetize her image to actually afford the elite coaching and recovery tech required to stay on the podium.
It’s a polarizing move. Some purists hate it. Others see it as a necessary evolution. Basically, if the fans are going to watch anyway, why shouldn't the athlete be the one getting the check?
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The New Guard: Hana and Amanda Moll
While the veterans are managing their brands, a new generation is rewriting the record books. The Moll twins, Hana and Amanda, are the current "it" athletes of the collegiate scene.
In June 2025, Hana Moll put on a clinic at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, clearing 4.79m (15-8.50) to shatter the meet record. What’s wild is that she spent most of that season in the shadow of her sister, Amanda. They’re basically a two-person wrecking crew for the University of Washington.
Their rise is different because they grew up in the "influencer" era. They handle the pressure of the spotlight with a level of chill that older athletes had to learn the hard way. They aren't just "hot female pole vaulters" to their peers; they are the benchmark for technical proficiency.
Why the Sport is Exploding in 2026
It’s not just about the individuals; the sport's infrastructure is changing. Events like the All Star Perche in France have turned pole vaulting into a nightclub act—loud music, lights, and fans right on top of the runway.
This environment favors athletes who can feed off the energy.
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- Eliza McCartney: The New Zealand star who won bronze in Rio is still a major factor, though 2025 was a "low-key" year for her due to fitness. She’s aiming for a massive comeback in the 2026 season.
- Clara Fernandez: A Spanish vaulter with nearly a million followers. While she hasn't hit the world-leading heights of Caudery yet, her presence has brought a massive new audience to the sport in Europe.
- Angelica Moser: The Swiss European Champion who proves that consistency and "big meet" temperament are worth more than any viral clip.
The Reality Check: What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception? That this is an "easy" sport for gymnasts to transition into.
Pole vaulting is arguably the most technical event in athletics. You are sprinting at top speed with a 15-foot fiberglass pole, planting it into a box, and using your entire core to swing upside down while the pole exerts massive force against you.
If your timing is off by a millisecond, the pole can "reject" you, throwing you back onto the track or snapping in half. It’s dangerous. It’s loud. It’s terrifying.
When you see a female pole vaulter celebrate a clearance, that smile isn't for the camera. It's the pure adrenaline of not dying and actually hitting the mark.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Vaulters
If you’re following the sport or looking to get into it, here’s how to actually appreciate what’s happening on the runway:
- Look at the "Takeoff": Don't just watch the clearance. Watch the plant. If the athlete's arms are fully extended and the pole moves smoothly into a deep bend, that’s elite technique.
- Follow the Results, Not Just the Feed: Check sites like World Athletics or MileSplit for actual jump data. A high follower count doesn't always equal a high PB (Personal Best).
- Understand the Equipment: Poles are rated by weight and flex. As vaulters get stronger, they move to "bigger" poles. If an athlete is struggling to get into the pit, they might be "over-poled," meaning the pole is too stiff for their current speed.
- Support the Athlete Directly: If your favorite vaulter has a brand, a YouTube channel, or a subscription service, that’s likely how they’re paying for their physio and travel.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in history. With the World Athletics Ultimate Championships on the horizon, the bar—literally and figuratively—is only going up.