French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati and diver Jules Bouyer found themselves in the spotlight for unexpected reasons during the 2024 Olympics. Both athletes went viral after incidents involving their manhood caught the internet’s attention.
Ammirati’s moment came when his crotch hit the crossbar during a pole vault attempt, causing him to miss his target height. The 21-year-old, who finished 15th, saw his mishap quickly turn into a viral sensation. Responding to Swedish Olympian Armand Duplantis’s comment about his newfound fame, Ammirati simply replied with four laughing emojis. Despite being disappointed by his performance, fans reacted humorously, with one commenting, “He lost it, but tbh he won it,” and another saying, “Vive la baguette!”
Bouyer, who competed in the men’s synchronized 3-metre springboard event, also went viral after photos and videos of him in a speedo circulated online. Although he finished fifth, fans focused more on his revealing attire. Bouyer took the comments in stride, telling Reuters, “If some people find it amusing to look at my pants, that’s their problem. It amused me.” He emphasized that while the situation was funny to him, it can sometimes distract athletes from their focus and cause distress. “I prefer people to look at my dives rather than my briefs, but there’s nothing to worry about,” Bouyer added.
Bouyer’s viral moment even led to a potential business opportunity. Shinesty, a men’s intimates company known for its secure underwear, offered him a lifetime supply of their products and swim trunks. A representative from the company said, “When we saw what Olympic diver Jules Bouyer was packing in his South of France, it didn’t matter that we were an American company. We wanted to give it a gold medal and protect that front truck of his for many Olympics to come.”
These incidents highlight how unexpected moments can shift focus away from athletic performance, but both Ammirati and Bouyer handled their viral fame with humor and grace.
