Home Poal20

The French Vault Dynasty: 5 Shocking Facts About Pole Vaulting's Riskiest And Most Viral Athletes

• minute read
Contents

French pole vaulting is currently experiencing a fascinating period of transition and high-stakes drama, blending the legacy of an Olympic icon with the emergence of a talented, media-savvy new generation. As of December 25, 2025, the narrative is dominated by the retirement of a legend, the viral moments of a rising star at the Paris 2024 Games, and the steady ascent of two new national champions poised to redefine the sport's future.

The history of French success in this high-flying track and field discipline is long, but the present moment is marked by a unique mix of technical mastery, Olympic pressure, and unexpected internet fame. The discipline, known for its blend of speed, strength, and precision, continues to be one of the most exciting events in global athletics, with French athletes consistently challenging the world's best, including the seemingly untouchable Armand Duplantis.

The New Guard and The Legend's Legacy: French Pole Vaulters Profile

The "pole vault french" scene is a dynamic landscape, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and young athletes who have recently captured the spotlight with record-breaking performances and unforgettable competition moments. These are the key figures driving the sport in France today.

  • Renaud Lavillenie (The Legend)
    • Born: September 18, 1986, in Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire, France
    • Discipline: Pole Vault
    • Career Highlights: 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist (London), 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist (Rio), World Indoor Champion (2012, 2014, 2016), European Champion (3x Outdoor, 4x Indoor).
    • French National Records: 6.16m Indoor (Former World Record), 6.05m Outdoor.
    • Current Status: Missed the Paris 2024 Olympics due to injury, marking the end of an era.
  • Thibaut Collet (The Contender)
    • Born: June 17, 1999, in La Tronche, France
    • Discipline: Pole Vault
    • Career Highlights: Rising star in French athletics. Set a personal best of 5.95m in June 2024.
    • Recent Performance: Achieved a season's best of 5.91m in the 2025 indoor season, establishing himself as France's top male vaulter.
    • Style: Known for his explosive speed and aggressive run-up, often competing in the prestigious Diamond League circuit.
  • Margot Chevrier (The Dual-Threat)
    • Born: December 21, 1999, in Nice, France
    • Discipline: Pole Vault (Women's)
    • Career Highlights: Multiple French National Champion. Competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
    • Unique Fact: She is a medical student balancing her demanding academic career with elite-level track and field.
    • Status: The leading figure in French women's pole vaulting, aiming to break the national record.
  • Anthony Ammirati (The Viral Sensation)
    • Born: July 16, 2003
    • Discipline: Pole Vault
    • Career Highlights: World Athletics U20 Champion.
    • Recent Fame: Became an international internet sensation during the Paris 2024 Olympics due to a widely misinterpreted vault miss.
  • Ninon Guillon-Romarin (The Women's Record Holder)
    • Discipline: Pole Vault (Women's)
    • French National Record: 4.75m Outdoor.

The Viral Moment That Shook Paris 2024 Athletics

One of the most talked-about moments from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games did not involve a medal, but a minor technical mishap that exploded across social media globally. French vaulter Anthony Ammirati, a young athlete with immense potential and a World U20 title, found himself at the center of an international sensation.

During the Men's Pole Vault qualification, Ammirati had a miss where the crossbar fell. The slow-motion replay of the event was widely misconstrued by viewers online, leading to a viral rumor that his equipment or even his body had knocked the bar off.

The truth, however, was far less scandalous. Ammirati simply had a normal miss at a height that was low for an Olympic-level vaulter, and the physics of the pole vault dictates that the slightest brush or miscalculation will send the bar down. The incident, while embarrassing for the young athlete, inadvertently brought massive global attention to the sport and to the French team.

This episode highlights the intense scrutiny and sometimes cruel nature of modern sports coverage, where a split-second moment can overshadow years of dedicated training. Ammirati has since used the attention to focus on his technical mastery and return to competition, proving that resilience is as vital as vertical velocity in the pole vault.

The Lavillenie Legacy: A Hard Act to Follow

For over a decade, the face of French pole vaulting was unequivocally Renaud Lavillenie. His career is a masterclass in the sport's history, culminating in an Olympic Gold at the London 2012 Games and, most famously, the breaking of Sergey Bubka's legendary indoor world record in 2014 with a vault of 6.16m.

Lavillenie's technical brilliance and fierce competitive spirit set an extremely high bar for the next generation of French vaulters. His outdoor national record of 6.05m remains a towering achievement in French athletics.

The emotional announcement that he would miss the Paris 2024 Olympics—a dream for any French athlete—due to injury was a poignant moment. It signaled the definitive end of his competitive Olympic run, passing the torch to younger athletes like Thibaut Collet and Anthony Ammirati. While Lavillenie’s era of dominance has concluded, his influence on training methods, mental fortitude, and the overall profile of the sport in France is permanent.

France's Next Generation: Collet, Chevrier, and the Pursuit of 6 Meters

The future of the "pole vault french" discipline rests squarely on the shoulders of athletes born around the turn of the millennium. Thibaut Collet, in particular, has emerged as the most consistent male performer, with recent vaults nearing the elite 6-meter mark. His personal best of 5.95m in 2024 puts him on the cusp of the global elite, a crucial step in challenging the dominance of Sweden's Armand Duplantis, the current world record holder.

Collet's rapid improvement is a testament to the strong coaching and technical training programs within the French Athletics Federation (FFA). His focus on jump training and perfecting the crucial transition from the run-up to the plant is what differentiates him.

On the women's side, Margot Chevrier is a compelling figure. Balancing the rigors of an elite sports career with medical school is a feat of dedication and time management. Her presence at major events, including the 2024 Olympics, solidifies her position as the leading female pole vaulter in France. Her goal is to consistently challenge the 4.75m national record held by Ninon Guillon-Romarin, pushing the standards of women's pole vaulting in the nation.

The combination of Collet’s technical skill and Chevrier’s mental toughness suggests a promising period for French pole vaulting, ensuring the nation remains a major player in international track and field competitions for years to come. The emphasis is now on converting domestic success into global medals, a challenge that requires relentless focus on biomechanics, pole stiffness, and competitive rhythm.

The French Vault Dynasty: 5 Shocking Facts About Pole Vaulting's Riskiest and Most Viral Athletes
pole vault french
pole vault french

Detail Author:

  • Name : Marilie Medhurst
  • Username : lexus81
  • Email : lenny.kling@yahoo.com
  • Birthdate : 1991-08-14
  • Address : 55864 Lindsey Land Adamsport, LA 91250-0112
  • Phone : (364) 654-2596
  • Company : Lynch Inc
  • Job : Stone Cutter
  • Bio : Ea qui omnis repudiandae molestiae. Eius quibusdam non omnis sunt qui.

Socials

linkedin:

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/kunde2011
  • username : kunde2011
  • bio : Ut aut excepturi officiis maxime quis temporibus id. Rerum recusandae minus nam dolor mollitia.
  • followers : 6671
  • following : 455

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@ambrose6468
  • username : ambrose6468
  • bio : Rerum sunt ea qui. Id velit qui assumenda exercitationem.
  • followers : 2154
  • following : 324

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/ambrosekunde
  • username : ambrosekunde
  • bio : Dicta aliquid rerum autem enim optio esse. Blanditiis molestiae ipsum sed. Nulla aut ducimus aspernatur corporis exercitationem.
  • followers : 1419
  • following : 513

facebook:

Random Posts