From gatecrashing whales to vaulter beaten by own pole: the top TV moments of the Olympics

As the Paris Olympics entered the home straight, week two saw plenty more sporting heroics. From Keely Hodgkinson winning Britain’s first athletics gold, to the nation roaring on all-rounder Katarina Johnson-Thompson (her bio on X: “Chronically indecisive so I’ve adopted two surnames and the heptathlon”). Amid all the headline-making action, though, eagle-eyed viewers found plenty of TV moments to enjoy which weren’t based around sporting success. Be they photobombing whales or dancing presenters, here are the finest.
Quelle ironie. French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati exited at the qualifying round – and all because he was well endowed. The 21-year-old cleared the 5.7-metre bar – only for a sizeable bulge in his Spandex suit to nudge it on the way down, and knock it off. But although Ammirati might have been stymied by his own crotch, his Instagram following increased 20-fold in two days. Ooh la la indeed.
The show was stolen by a surprise interloper during the surfing semi-final in Tahiti. As Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb and Costa Rica’s Brisa Hennessy competed, spectators’ eyes were instead drawn to a breaching whale behind them, launching itself into the air. Talk about making a splash. Any way we can award the huge marine mammal a medal for photobombing?
Someone sign her up for Strictly. Social media lit up when BBC anchorwoman Clare Balding was spotted doing a spot of chair-dancing to the swimming arena DJ. Balding seems to be a surprise fan of 90s dance anthem Freed From Desire by Gala. Her infectious shape-throwing even persuaded pundit Rebecca Adlington to join in.
He resembles a cross between Timothée Chalamet and Carmy from The Bear, and Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis isn’t too shabby at his sport either. After clinching his second successive gold medal and setting a new world record of 6.25 metres, “Mondo” celebrated by mimicking another Olympic cult hero: Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikeç, who went viral for his laid-back hand-in-pocket stance.
Oof. Olympic gymnasts are so strong and skilful, it’s easy to forget they’re mere mortals. A reminder came when Croatia’s Tin Srbić – a former world champion, no less – missed his grip on the horizontal bar and smacked face-down to the floor. Srbić got straight back up but it was a mishap-strewn session, with five out of eight finalists suffering falls. “I don’t believe what we’re seeing!” cried BBC commentator Craig Heap.
After winning her back-to-back Olympic golds – making these Games the most successful in Ireland’s history – beloved Dublin boxer Kellie Harrington announced her retirement in style. Medal around her neck, the 34-year-old sang a fond farewell at ringside, serenading fans with a heartfelt rendition of Grace by trad Irish band The Wolfe Tones. She signed off with her catchphrase (“Let me say it again: Bob’s your uncle, Fanny’s your auntie, goodnight Irene”) before the party went on well into the Parisian night.
A formidably organised Olympic official was caught on camera, laying down the law to female pole vaulters. Finger held aloft, she sternly informed them: “Now, you all need to check the call room schedule time for the final, all right? Please check the updated timetable for your event. I don’t want you to miss it.” She was widely compared to a teacher on a school trip. Don’t forget your cagoule and be back on the coach by 3pm, no later.
It brought a whole new meaning to “Breaking news”. Newsreader Maryam Moshiri reported on breakdancing’s Olympic debut by taking a lesson from Brazilian B-boy Zay. Demonstrating the basic cross-body step, he told Moshiri her hands could do whatever they want. “Don’t tell me that,” she quipped. “I have previous with my hands.”
Cuban wrestler Mijaín López sprung a surprise celebration on his coaching team when he won an unprecedented fifth consecutive Greco-Roman gold. The 41-year-old gentle giant, nicknamed El Terrible, picked up his weeping coach and slammed him lovingly into the mat one last time. He then unlaced his boots, kissed them and left them in the ring to symbolise his retirement.
There might be more high-profile Olympic events to capture on film but few demand a technique this insouciant. One camera operator at the trampolining went viral for casually waggling his equipment in rhythm with the bouncing gymnasts. Presumably he switched to sideways waggling to cover the tennis.
Is there no end to his talents? Brazilian skateboarder Augusto Akio followed each run by grabbing his colour-coordinated clubs and treating crowds to a bonus display of juggling, often with his skateboard held between his teeth. Akio took up the circus skill when injured and says it helps him stay relaxed. It clearly works. The 23-year-old clinched a bronze medal, cheered on by rapper Snoop Dogg and the sport’s deity, Tony Hawk.
USA’s 100m champion Noah Lyles turns out to be a surprise aficionado when it comes to wool. Shown pictures of Tom Daley’s knits, Lyles expressed admiration for the GB diver’s multicoloured designs and neat lines, having learned to appreciate needlework from his crochet-loving sister. Lyles added that he wouldn’t mind a Daley-created cardigan himself. You know what to do, Tom.