Canadian Olympian Alysha Newman captured global attention with a now-viral twerk during the Paris Games, where she made history by securing a bronze medal in the women’s pole vault.
However, the 30-year-old athlete revealed that her spontaneous dance was not directly linked to her medal win.
In an interview with The Post, Newman clarified that her celebratory dance occurred before she knew she had secured the bronze. “Many people think I broke out in the dance because of the bronze medal, but I didn’t know I had bronze,” Newman explained. Switzerland’s Angelica Moser still had another attempt, leaving the podium positions uncertain. Ultimately, Newman shared the podium with Australia’s Nina Kennedy (gold) and Team USA’s Katie Moon (silver).
Newman’s celebratory dance was more about setting a new Canadian record with her 4.85-meter jump, surpassing her previous best of 4.83 meters. “If you know me, I’ve always celebrated after a Canadian record. I’ve backflipped, danced, or done whatever comes naturally,” she said.
DIFFERENT ANGLE:
Alysha Newman twerking at the Olympics in Paris today after the Canadian jumps 4.85 m pic.twitter.com/3XpTBYitgi
— Dutch_Investor (@cryptostonk2) August 8, 2024
The dance also included a playful nod to her injury-prone past, as she faked an injury before breaking into the dance on the Stade de France track. This moment was rooted in an ongoing joke within the track community: “If Alysha can stay healthy, she can win a medal.”
Canada’s Alysha Newman participates in the pole vault final at the 2024 Olympics. REUTERS Reflecting on the viral moment, Newman laughed at the reaction, especially her impromptu twerking. “I’m laughing because I probably didn’t do a great twerk compared to others, but it just came out naturally,” she said. She expressed gratitude for the attention, showcasing a different personality side.
Newman, a London, Ontario native, initially pursued gymnastics before switching to pole vaulting due to her height and the intensity of gymnastics. “As soon as I started pole vault, it chose me,” she recalled. Her athletic prowess quickly became evident as she broke a meet record in her first competition.
Newman’s career has since flourished. She won gold at the Junior Pan American Championships in 2013 and bronze at the Commonwealth Games in 2014. She then competed in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, finishing 17th, and qualified for the Tokyo Games in 2021.
The Tokyo Olympics, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired Newman to connect with her fans uniquely. She launched an OnlyFans account, initially as a financial support and to bring her supporters along on her Olympic journey. “I wanted to bring all my fans to the Olympics without physically being there,” she said.
Katie Moon (l.), Nina Kennedy (c.) and Alysha Newman celebrate with their Olympic medals after the women’s pole vault final in August 2024. Getty Images: What began as a temporary project evolved into an ongoing venture. Newman now uses the platform to share behind-the-scenes content, including live practice sessions, workout routines, and nutrition programs. “People were so invested in my journey, so we kept it going,” she said, adding that it has been a rewarding experience for her.
Alysha Newman has shared her Olympics journey on OnlyFans. Alysha Newman and OnlyFansDespite some criticism, Newman remains unfazed, emphasizing the importance of financial independence. “People do what they do because they have to live; we have to pay bills,” she said, noting that she’s developed thick skin to handle negative comments. Newman’s OnlyFans page offers various subscription bundles, including a special Olympics flash sale.
Alysha Newman has given thought to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. REUTERS
Newman has also partnered with the platform for new sponsorship and created content for the streaming service OFTV. On her OnlyFans page, she offers various subscription bundles, including three months for $29.23, six months for $46.76, and 12 months for $77.94. During the Olympics, she introduced a particular 31-day subscription as part of a flash sale priced at $7.79. Despite the ongoing debate about the platform, the first-time Olympic medalist remains unfazed by the criticism.
For now, Newman relishes her Olympic success and the viral moment that came with it. “I was telling my mom, ‘You would have done that in front of four people at home or a hundred thousand people; that is just you,’” she said, reflecting on how her spontaneous dance became a memorable part of her Olympic journey.
