U.S. pole vaulter skids to a halt for national anthem
An American pole vaulter took his patriotism to the next level at the Olympics.
Sam Kendricks, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve and an Olympic pole vaulter, stopped mid-attempt to pay his respects to his country.
Kendricks was competing in the qualifying round of the men's pole vault in Rio on Aug. 13, when he skidded to a halt, threw his pole on the ground and stood to attention while the anthem played. The video was posted online by NBC on Sunday.
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The pause didn't affect Kendricks' pole vault game, with the 23-year-old athlete winning the qualifying event and then going on to win bronze in the final on Monday.
Kendricks told USA Today on Aug. 13 that his comrades were proud of him, so he hoped to do them proud in return.
"I am certainly looking to represent the Americans on two fronts, as a military man and as a U.S. athlete," Kendricks said. "I’m just trying to put my best foot forward for all those soldiers who are watching."
He certainly achieved that goal with his patriotic act and his medal.
Topics Olympics
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