Serena Williams’ ex-coach tells viral pole vaulter to ‘call drag queen’ in bizarre advice as bulge ends Olympics dream
SERENA WILLIAMS’ former coach has bizarrely urged viral pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati to “call a drag queen” following his mishap at the Olympic Games.
Frenchman Ammirati, 21, failed to progress through to the final on Saturday after his bulge knocked off the pole when he was attempting to clear 5.70 metres.
The moment attracted much attention on social media, before he broke his silence on Sunday by insisting he was “gutted”.
Now ex-tennis pro Rennae Stubbs, 53, has had her say on the matter.
The American, who reached World No1 as a doubles player and won six Grand Slams as a pair, is also known as the old coach of iconic US star Williams.
She coached the 24-time Grand Slam champion in her final major at the US Open in 2022.
And Stubbs, who won 60 WTA titles, had some advice for Ammirati after he went viral for the embarrassing mishap.
Speaking on X, she said: “Seriously!!!
“When your sport is all about getting your body over a bar and it’s a matter of millimetres!
“My man! Call a drag queen! She’ll teach u how to tuck it! This is unbelievable!”
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Ammirati, who is also a reserve police officer, shared a lengthy statement after finishing 12th in his pole vaulting group at his home Olympics.
He said: “It’s a big disappointment. I’m a bit gutted, because I didn’t miss anything on the third attempt at 5.70m.
“What I did miss was a bit of jumping in training to fine-tune the settings. Just a technical session.
“I had to give up the last two, because after a small grade one in the adductor, I prioritised the race. I was 100 per cent physically, but I was missing a bit…
“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 public. I was almost there.”
What's happening today at The Games?
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY
TODAY’S BRIT MEDAL HOPES
Jake Jarman follows his floor final yesterday with today’s vault final – the Peterborough ace is the world champion (3.25pm) while Becky Downie goes in the uneven bars (2.40pm).
Barcelona 1992 star Laura Fry’s daughter Lottie will be desperate for a medal in the dressage grand prix freestyle individual (9am).
Tommy Fleetwood heads into the final round of the golf in bronze, one shot off leaders Jon Rahm and Tokyo winner Xander Schauffele (11.30am).
BRITS TO WATCH
Lizzie Deignan becomes the first female British cyclist to be selected for four Olympics and is one of four Team GB stars in the road race (1pm).
Amber Rutter goes for skeet gold (qualifying 8.30am, final 2.30pm) just four months after giving birth to her first child in April.
And it’s Team GB vs India in the men’s hockey quarter-final (9am) – a repeat of their clash in Tokyo which India won 3-1.
GLOBAL STARS TODAY
In a blockbuster men’s singles tennis final, Carlos Alcaraz is the only man standing between Novak Djokovic and the Career Golden Slam (1pm).
And it is arguably the biggest race of the entire athletics programme with the men’s 100m final (8.55pm) – Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo are among the favourites but Zharnel Hughes could threaten for GB.
FANCY SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
There is all sorts going on at the Marseille Marina in the sailing today.
We’ve got a bit of everything including mixed multihull, the dinghy and kite races.
STATS MAD
Little Fatty – Chinese table tennis sensation Zhendong Fan won silver in the men’s singles in Tokyo but can go one better in today’s final. His nickname is Xiao Pang which translates as ‘Little Fatty’ – bit harsh…
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.