We’ve all had rough days at work, but this guy’s misfortune was captured on camera for millions to witness in slow motion.
France’s Anthony Ammirati participated in the men’s pole vault qualification at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games yesterday (August 3). Unfortunately, he missed his opportunity to compete in tomorrow’s final due to a particularly unlucky mishap.
Ammirati successfully cleared 5.40 meters and 5.60 meters, but encountered difficulty with the 5.70 meter mark.
On his third attempt, he nearly succeeded, but unfortunately, his body betrayed him, and his package clipped the pole as he descended, causing him to crash.
This moment was replayed in slow motion, leaving Olympic commentators at a loss for words.
One commentator asked: “What happened here?”
Another seemed to reply, “On the way down…” followed by awkward sounds as they realized what had transpired.
Their reactions amused viewers. One person tweeted: “Anthony Ammirati failed the bar and the commentators are clearly having a hard time acknowledging what happened. I’M DYING.”
“The struggle to keep it professional when it’s so painfully obvious is too real,” another commented.
A third added: “They definitely knew why but just couldn’t say it out loud.”
Some noted that Ammirati might have lost his chance at a medal, but he definitely gained something else…
“Loses vault. Wins internet,” one person wrote.
“When you lose but you still win,” quipped another.
Someone else joked: “I am sure he will be compensated at the Olympic Village.”
Fortunately, Ammirati has taken his newfound viral fame in stride. Speaking to the French Athletic Federation, the 21-year-old remarked: “I’m just glad I can make people smile and laugh. And who knows, maybe this will be the start of something amazing!”
He did express his disappointment at the outcome, as he finished 15th in the competition.
“It’s a big disappointment,” the first-time Olympian confessed. “The conditions were good. It’s the first time I’ve started a competition without any stress. As I was a total outsider, I only had one goal: to play with the audience. I was almost there.”
There’s always Los Angeles 2028, Anthony!