French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati has humorously addressed the viral sensation surrounding his recent performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 21-year-old Olympian gained unexpected fame when a clip of his pole vaulting jump, during which his bulge was prominently visible, circulated widely on social media.
In a lighthearted response, Ammirati shared a TikTok video of himself casually enjoying lunch in the Olympic Village. Accompanied by the soundtrack “Sad Spongebob Music,” he wrote in French, “POV: tu fais plus de buzz pour ton paquet que pour tes perfs,” which translates to “POV: You create more buzz for your package than your performances.” His caption further read, “Je sais pas trop si je dois le prendre bien ou pas du coup 😂 #olympics #paris2024,” meaning, “I don’t really know if I should take it well or not 😂.”
The post quickly garnered attention from fans, who joined in on the joke with comments like, “A win is a win,” and “It’s a HUGE accomplishment.” Some even suggested that Calvin Klein should consider him for an advertising campaign.
Ammirati’s bulge became a talking point during his pole vault heat on August 3, 2024, when it appeared to hit the crossbar. Despite social media buzz, the actual reason for his unsuccessful jump was his shins and knees making contact with the bar, not his attire. The French Athletics Federation had initially reported Ammirati’s disappointment, with the athlete expressing frustration in a statement and a subsequent Instagram post with French sports academy Envol.
While he did not secure a medal, Ammirati’s viral fame led to an intriguing job offer. Adult entertainment company CamSoda extended a $250,000 offer for a 60-minute cam show. CamSoda Vice President Daryn Parker’s letter playfully acknowledged Ammirati’s viral status and offered him the chance to showcase himself without the constraints of athletic wear.
Though Ammirati’s Olympic journey did not end with a medal, his quick wit and sense of humor have certainly left a mark, both on and off the field.
