Shocking message from Emmanuel Karalis!
With his post on social media, shortly after Panhellenic record with 6 meters in the Diamond League of Silesiathe beloved Manolo “answered” those who discouraged him and told him that he can’t do pole vault because of the color of his skin!
“I had been told that black people don’t pole vault. Now I am the first black jumper to jump over six meters! Never give up on your dreams“, says Karalis in his message!
They told me that black people don’t pole vault!
Now I’m the first black pole vaulter over 6 meters!
Never give up on your dreams— Emmanuel Karalis (@FlyManoloFly) August 25, 2024
Emmanuel Karalis, we remind you, although Greek by birth, fell victim of unprecedented and unrelenting racism in his own country, because, as he says, “i am greek black» (since his mother is from Uganda)!
In Elementary, he and his twin sister (also black) were the “blacks” of the classreceiving constant bullying from a group of their classmates, who came from families where racist ideas flourished. Growing up, the Paris bronze medalist received even greater racism, while he was targeted by a Greek federal coach! He went so far as to tell him:Pole vaulting is not for black people. Take your mother and go to Uganda».
Today, Emmanuel Karalis broke the pan-Hellenic record, continuing an incredible season for him and became, in fact, the 29th runner over 6 meters!
Here is the 6 meter club:
6.26m – Mondo Duplantis (Sweden) – 2024
6.16m – Renault Lavilleni (France) – 2014
6.15m – Sergey Bubka (Ukraine) – 1993
6.07m – KC Lightfoot (USA) – 2023
6.06m – Stephen Hooker (Australia) – 2009
6.06m – Sam Kendricks (USA) – 2019
6.05m – Maxim Tarasov (Russia) – 1999
6.05m – Dimitri Markov (Australia) – 2001
6.05m – Chris Nielsen (USA) – 2022
6.04m – Brad Walker (USA) – 2008
6.03m – Ocher Bridge (South Africa) – 1995
6.03m – Jeff Hartwig (USA) – 2000
6.03m – Thiago Braz (Brazil) – 2016
6.02m – Rodion Gataulin (USSR) – 1989
6.02m – Piotr Lisek (Poland) – 2019
6.01m – Igor Trantenkof (Russia) – 1996
6.01m – Timothy Mack (USA) – 2004
6.01m – Yevgeny Lukyanenko (Russia) – 2008
6.01m – Bjorn Otto (Germany) – 2012
6.00m – Tim Lobinger (Germany) – 1997
6.00m – Jean Galfion (France) – 1999
6.00m – Daniel Ecker (Germany) – 2001
6.00m – Toby Stevenson (USA) – 2004
6.00m – Paul Burgess (Australia) – 2005
6.00m – Sean Barber (Canada) – 2016
6.00m – Timur Morgunov (Russia) – 2018
6.00m – Sodre Gutormsen (Norway) – 2023
6.00m – Ernest Obiena (Philippines) – 2023
6.00m – Emmanuel Karalis (Greece) – 2024
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
