AAs the Paris Olympics entered the home straight, the second week saw plenty more sporting heroics. From Keely Hodgkinson winning Britain’s first athletics gold medal to the nation cheering on all-rounder Katarina Johnson-Thompson (her bio on X: “Chronic indecision, so I adopted two surnames and the heptathlon”). But amidst all the headline-grabbing action, eagle-eyed viewers also found plenty of TV moments to enjoy that had nothing to do with sporting success. Whether it’s whale photobombing or dancing presenters, here are the best.

Pole vaulter is beaten by her own pole

Source Irony. French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati was eliminated in the qualifying round – and it was all because he was well-endowed. The 21-year-old cleared the 5.7-meter bar – only for a sizable bump in his spandex suit to nudge it on the way down, knocking it off. Although Ammirati may have been hampered by his own stride, his Instagram following grew twenty-fold in two days. Oh, la, la, indeed.

Whale disrupts surfing

At the surfing semi-finals in Tahiti, the show was stolen by a surprise intruder. As Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb and Costa Rica’s Brisa Hennessy competed, the crowd’s eyes were drawn to a whale behind them leaping into the air. Now that was a real blast. Can we give the giant marine mammal a medal for its photobombing?

Clare Balding raves about

Someone sign her up for Strictly. Social media was in a frenzy when BBC presenter Clare Balding was spotted doing a bit of chair dancing to the music of the pool DJ. Balding, surprisingly, seems to be a fan of Gala’s 90s dance anthem Freed From Desire. Her infectious shapeshifting even convinced commentator Rebecca Adlington to join in.

He shoots, he hits

Looking like a cross between Timothée Chalamet and Carmy from The Bear, Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis isn’t too bad at his sport either. After winning his second consecutive gold medal and setting a new world record of 6.25 meters, “Mondo” celebrated by imitating another Olympic cult hero: Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikeç, who became known for his relaxed hand-in-pocket stance.

That must hurt

Phew. Olympic gymnasts are so strong and skilled that it’s easy to forget they’re just mortals. A reminder of this came when Croatia’s Tin Srbić – a former world champion, after all – lost his grip on the high bar and crashed face down to the floor. Srbić got back up immediately, but it was a botched routine that saw five of the eight finalists fall. “I can’t believe what we’re seeing!” exclaimed BBC commentator Craig Heap.

Kellie’s heroes sing

After winning two Olympic gold medals in a row – making these Games the most successful in Irish history – popular Dublin boxer Kellie Harrington announced her retirement in style. With her medal around her neck, the 34-year-old sang a heartfelt farewell song at ringside and entertained her fans with a soulful rendition of Grace by traditional Irish band The Wolfe Tones. She signed off with her catchphrase (“Let me say it again: Bob is your uncle, Fanny is your aunt, goodnight Irene”) before the party continued well into the Parisian night.

Yes, Miss, excuse me, Miss

A superbly organised Olympic official was filmed giving the pole vaulters a dressing down. With a raised finger, she told them sternly: “Now you all have to check the schedule for the final in the call room, OK? Please look at the updated schedule for your event. I don’t want you to miss it.” She was often compared to a teacher on a school trip. Don’t forget your raincoat and be back on the bus by 3pm at the latest.

Maryam Moshiri goes one step further

It gave a whole new meaning to the term “breaking news.” News anchor Maryam Moshiri covered the Olympic debut of breakdancing, where she got a lesson from Brazilian b-boy Zay. While demonstrating the basic cross-body step, he told Moshiri her hands could do whatever they wanted. “Don’t tell me that,” she joked. “I’ve had experience with my hands.”

Fight for a wrestler’s retirement

Cuban wrestler Mijaín López surprised his coaching team with a whoop of joy as he won his fifth consecutive gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling. The 41-year-old gentle giant nicknamed “El Terrible” picked up his weeping coach and lovingly threw him to the mat one last time. He then untied his boots, kissed them and left them in the ring to symbolize his retirement.

The highs and lows of sport

There may be more high-profile Olympic events that can be captured on film, but few require such casual technique. A cameraman at a trampolining event made headlines for casually moving his equipment back and forth in time with the jumping gymnasts. He presumably switched to side-to-side weaving to film the tennis.

Skater attacks the juggler

Is his talent limitless? Brazilian skateboarder Augusto Akio grabbed his color-coordinated sticks after each run and treated the crowd to a bonus juggling performance, often holding his skateboard between his teeth. Akio started this circus act when he was injured and says it helps him stay relaxed. And it’s clearly working. The 23-year-old took home a bronze medal, cheered on by rapper Snoop Dogg and the deity of the sport, Tony Hawk.

Sprint King rates Tom Daley’s knitwear

US 100m champion Noah Lyles turns out to be a surprising wool fan. When shown pictures of Tom Daley’s knitwear, Lyles expressed his admiration for the British diver’s colourful designs and clean lines, having learned to appreciate needlework from his crochet-loving sister. Lyles added that he himself wouldn’t mind a cardigan designed by Daley. You know what to do, Tom.