Canadian athlete Alysha Newman recently made headlines not just for her exceptional skills on the track but for how she celebrated her Olympic win. She clinched the bronze medal during her pole vault event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, leaving spectators and fans buzzing after her energetic performance, which included some unexpected twerking.
Newman, who jumped 4.85 meters to secure her place on the podium, became Canada’s first medalist in the pole vault since 1912—quite the achievement considering her earlier disappointments at the Rio (2016) and Tokyo (2021) Olympics, where she failed to qualify for the finals. With her bronze win, she not only broke through to the podium but also set a national record.
The atmosphere at the Stade de France was electric, and Alysha's emotions poured over as she celebrated. Not only did she run around with joy after her successful vault, but she also treated the crowd to her distinctive brand of celebration—twerking. Video footage captured her spontaneous dance move, which got mixed reactions online. While some viewers cheered her on, viewing it as fun and vibrant, others were left scratching their heads. A BBC commentator succinctly observed, “I’m not sure about the celebration,” reflecting the divided opinions around her post-victory antics.
This spirited display of joy was more than just about winning; it highlighted Alysha's vibrant personality. Known for her confident, fun-loving attitude, Newman doesn’t shy away from blending her sports career with her personal brand, which includes maintaining her presence on platforms like OnlyFans. With her subscription service charging about $13 per month, she’s not just breaking records on the track but also potentially raking in some significant income off of it.
Her dual career, where she balances being an elite athlete and leveraging her presence on social media, is becoming increasingly common among athletes who seek additional revenue streams. Many Olympians have turned to platforms like OnlyFans to fund their training and competition costs, particularly when they’re competing for countries with less support for athletes outside sports.
Alysha has amassed quite the following on social media, boasting over 609,000 followers on Instagram. It's evident this platform also serves as a way for her to connect with fans beyond the sport. Her candidness about her life and her body on social media resonates with many. After her bronze victory, she shared how delighted she was, stating, "I did it! So happy to announce I am taking home the BRONZE MEDAL and set a new NATIONAL RECORD for Canada. I am still buzzing from the energy!" Such joyful announcements help her maintain engagement with her fanbase.
Newman’s approach to self-expression—whether through sport or social media—offers both insight and inspiration to her fans. Her motto, “Raise the bar, wherever you go,” reflects her philosophy on and off the track, encouraging individuals to pursue their objectives unapologetically.
During the closing stages of the event, emotions ran high. After securing her medal but before the ceremony began, Alysha was still buzzing from the adrenaline, stating, "I laugh because getting third is, I mean, I've never got third, but it's funny because you have to still wait and sit there and wait until the other girls are done. So I'm so awkwardly standing there like, 'What do I do? Do I celebrate? Do I kiss everyone? Do I cry?'" Her honest reflections add to her relatability as she transitions from athlete to public figure.
The high stakes of the Olympics landed Alysha on the world stage at Paris, showcasing not only her talent but her unconventional celebrations too. With Australia’s Nina Kennedy taking gold (4.90 meters) and Katie Moon of the USA securing silver, Newman held her ground firmly among elite competitors, proving she deserved her spot on the podium.
Alysha's win and subsequent twerking escapade sparked discussions about professionalism versus personal expression at high-stakes sports events. The mixed reactions highlight the evolving perceptions of athletes, who increasingly become personalities with multifaceted careers. Where once celebration might have been reserved for formal reactions, today's athletes are unapologetically themselves, public and personal lives intertwined.
Newman isn’t just breaking records; she's breaking the mold of what it means to be an athlete today. Through her flamboyance, she's capturing the essence of celebration and sheer joy of accomplishment, all the way down to how she chooses to share her successes with the world. Amidst the glitz and glamour of Olympic fame, Alysha Newman is forging her own path, bringing both her athletic prowess and her vivacious spirit together for all to witness.
Post-Olympics, Newman seems poised for stardom. Acknowledging her non-traditional path, she proudly embraces her dual identities. Her vibrant celebrations, along with her effective use of modern platforms to create income, highlight what could be the future of sports. Athletes who are entertainers will likely become the norm, paving the way for more expressive and engaging experiences for fans.
Overall, the blend of traditional sports accomplishment with modern social media celebrity showcases the changing dynamics of athleticism and its perceptions, forging new avenues for success beyond the game itself. So, as for Alysha, the celebration won’t stop anytime soon. From soaring through the air with her vaults to celebrating her victories via twerking, she’s redefining how athletes are seen, one jump—and one twerk—at a time.
