At the recent 2024 Paris Olympics, Canadian pole vaulter Alysha Newman made headlines not just for her athletic achievement but also for her memorable way of celebrating it. After securing the bronze medal with a stunning clearance of 4.85 meters, Newman infused excitement and humor with her playful post-vault antics.
Newman’s medal marks a historic milestone: she became the first Canadian woman to earn Olympic honor in pole vault. The last time Canada saw this kind of success was way back at the 1912 Olympics when William Halpenny took home bronze. Amid the cheers and applause, it was Newman’s unique mix of joy and comedy as she limped off from the landing area clutching her leg, leading observers to believe she had suffered an injury. But there was no damage—her next move was to break out the increasingly popular twerking celebration.
Notably, this cheeky twist isn't just her creation. The twerking act had previously been seen from other athletes, including soccer player Lo’eau LaBonta, who first employed this joyful performance after scoring for her team back in 2022. Newman, with her flair for drama and humor, ensured she wouldn't just fade from the spotlight post-jump. She quickly turned heads with her twerk, right after teetering with the audience’s collective anxiety over her supposed injury. Video clips shared on social media instantly went viral, capturing the electrifying and amusing moment.
Her infectious spirit guaranteed this moment would echo through Olympic history. Social media fans responded enthusiastically, with one proclaiming, "Bronze for Alysha Newman in pole vault, gold for Newman in best celebrations of the Paris Olympics." Enthusiastic spectators showcased their delight with comments like, "Did Alysha Newman just successfully pole vault AND TWERK? LET'S GO GIRLS!"
Not just concerned about the laughs, Newman's performance was also applauded for its creativity, melding classic celebration styles with modern twists, all of which added layers of entertainment to the event. A BBC commentator, albeit left stunned by the display, remarked, "I'm not sure about this celebration," showcasing the range of opinions surrounding her flamboyant antics.
What makes Newman's achievement even more impressive is her storied career filled with triumphs and challenges. Transitioning from gymnastics—where she faced physical setbacks including significant injuries—Newman embraced the pole vault discipline with gusto, aided by mentorship from coaches like Jerel Langley. Rising through the ranks, she began breaking records at regional and national levels, culminating finally at the world stage this year.
Earlier, during her career, she broke the Canadian record with a vault of 4.60 meters at various events before eclipsing it twice more achieving attempts 4.71 and 4.75 meters respectively. Her challenges included recovering from concussions and injuries which have dogged her training, particularly after competing at the Tokyo 2020 games, where she could not progress past qualifying rounds due to performance issues fueled by lingering concussion symptoms.
Flipping to the present moment, not only did Newman claim the spotlight with her unorthodox celebration but she also took to social media soon afterward, sharing images of her celebration and accepting the joyous occasion. With over 100,000 followers on Instagram, it's no surprise her vibrant post was met with excitement and dedication from her ardent supporters. Her playful side is reportedly balanced alongside her prowess as she also manages to create adult content through platforms like OnlyFans, which has continued to keep her audience engaged.
Newman's triumph was all the more significant as she competed against some formidable opponents. The pole vault event was clinched by Australia's Nina Kennedy, who secured gold with 4.90 meters, shortly followed by Katie Moon of the USA taking silver.
The ‘fake hammy twerk’ successfully positioned Newman among the most fun athlete celebrations during the Olympics and broadened discussions surrounding the intersection between sports and personality—where serious athleticism meets light-hearted spontaneity.
Whether the twerking will be accepted as part of the formal celebration or merely appreciated as a clever and amusing outburst remains to be seen. One thing for certain, though, Newman’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics served not only to highlight her extraordinary athletic skill but also her remarkable ability to charm audiences worldwide.
So as the Olympics continues, Alysha Newman has not only captured bronze but also created unforgettable memories through her authenticity and modernization of celebrations unexpected of traditional athletics. Perhaps, as her quote suggests, it might be fitting to have this picture framed: as it's likely to remind all future athletes, winning is truly about the fun of the experience.