The fine line between brilliance and disaster is present in most sporting events, but pole vaulting presents a very particular brand of chaos should you mess up your jump.
A college pole vaulter in the US experienced the cruel side of the ancient athletics event this week, captured on videofor the world to see.
Zach McWhorter, a 21-year-old student at Brigham Young University, unfortunately tore open his scrotum after the pole drove into his groin over the bar.
"Fortunately, as far as I know, there is nothing wrong with my testicles – just a scar. One day, we'll find out if they function or not."
Whenever the topic of pole vaults arises, this writer casts his mind back to the 2016 Olympics, where one of the greatest mid-event betrayals took place as Japanese pole vaulter Hiroki Ogita knocked the bar with his member.
