Do you recall Allison Stokke? Her life was fundamentally altered by a single photograph, not quite in the manner you might think. It transformed her into an internet celebrity for reasons less than favorable, and the tale behind it is more touching and intricate than one might assume.
Being celebrated for their dedication, skill, and achievements is something all elite athletes aspire to. Yet, regrettably, female athletes often encounter a more sinister reality: objectification. One individual who understands this harsh truth all too well is former pole vaulter Allison Stokke.
A few years prior, Allison was merely an ambitious young athlete putting in immense effort to enhance her prowess in the sport she loved. Then, in an instant, her world was upended. A regular day metamorphosed into an ordeal as she found herself being approached and followed by strangers.
A Promising Talent Emerges
To grasp why a mere photograph turned Allison Stokke’s life upside down, we must travel back in time. Born on March 22, 1989, in Newport Beach, California, Allison was brought up in a family with a strong inclination towards sports. Her older brother, David, was a gifted gymnast who represented at the national stage. Though Allison tried her hand at gymnastics, she soon discovered a natural affinity for pole vaulting.
Her journey took off in high school when her distinctive talents became apparent. During her teen years, Allison’s abilities blossomed quickly. She clinched the U.S. title for her age bracket (15/16) in 2004, setting a new championship record with a vault reaching 3.81 meters (12 feet 6 inches). As a freshman, Stokke pushed her boundaries, committed to refining both her capabilities and herself.
Before long, her diligence began yielding fruits. She shattered the American record for a high school freshman with a vault measuring 3.86 meters (12 feet 7¾ inches). The subsequent year, she surpassed her own benchmark as a sophomore in high school, vaulting 4.11 meters (13 feet 5¾ inches).
The Commencement of a Nightmare
After setting five national records, Allison secured a scholarship to the University of California, an impressive feat given she had sustained a tibia fracture during training in 2005, necessitating surgical intervention.
In early 2007, an incident occurred that would forever alter Allison Stokke’s existence. While competing in New York, she was photographed by a journalist from a Californian track and field website, capturing the then 17-year-old as she prepared to take her turn. Originally, the photograph was considered nondescript, eventually finding its way onto the website.
However, events took a rapid and unforeseen progression. In May 2007, the image resurfaced on With Leather, a well-liked sports blog predominantly frequented by male readers, under the headline “Pole Vaulting is Sexy, Barely Legal,” shifting the spotlight to Allison’s appearance.
The Impact of the Infamous Photograph
Standing at a graceful 5-foot-7, Allison had a smooth, olive complexion and a robust, athletic physique. The picture depicted her holding her vault pole over her right shoulder, seemingly adjusting her ponytail. Her standard-issue track uniform comprised black shorts and a white tank top, exposing a modest portion of her midriff.
To Ufford, Allison was a “natural choice” for a feature, as he later explained to The Washington Post.
Not everyone was agreeable to the attention the photo garnered. The photographer, notably, contacted Ufford’s site with threats of legal action unless the photo was withdrawn.
Yet, the buzz surrounding Allison refused to be quelled.
The story took the internet by storm, spreading across numerous platforms and ultimately spawning a tribute page dedicated to Allison Stokke and featuring a collection of her images in action. These photographs circulated widely across social media, amassing fan groups with thousands of adherents.
Allison held a family conference to present to them the websites she had found, which left her mother Cindy feeling “a mix of anger and concern,” as reported by the LA Times.
An Unwanted Overnight Sensation
This entire affair starkly illustrated the internet’s power in rendering someone an overnight sensation — absent their consent. Allison initially learned about the viral picture from a friend’s email notification, revealing the image of her adjusting her hair at a meet had spread like wildfire online.
Despite this pre-social media era, Allison’s Myspace account was inundated with over 1,000 new messages. Rapidly, images of Allison became an internet spectacle, prompting major media outlets to delve into her story, exploring the ramifications of such occurrences. CBS provided television coverage, highlighting the potential risks of the internet’s role in sexualizing youth.
Amid widespread media exposure, Allison found herself managing her public portrayal independently. The burgeoning pole vaulting sensation attempted initially to handle the swell of emails and photo shoot propositions but soon felt besieged, leading her to consult with a media advisor.
Dealing with an Overwhelming Reality
The journey was arduous for Allison when caught amidst such public scrutiny. In her hometown of Newport, she experienced unwanted attention, revealing that she refrained from venturing outside unaccompanied, ensuring all locks were secured when home alone.
Regrettably, Allison unwillingly became a sex symbol, attracting stalkers and undesirable focus. Her father, Allan, a legal practitioner, began to monitor online content for any illegal activities or troubling figures.
Reflecting on the events later, Allison confided to The Washington Post that “Even if none of it is illegal, it just all feels really demeaning. I worked so hard for pole vaulting and all this other stuff, and it’s almost like that doesn’t matter. Nobody sees that. Nobody really sees me.”
As relentless attention continued to swirl, Allison, an athlete from California, endeavored to realign her attention to her track career, albeit with difficulty as photographers frequently hounded her at competitions, leading to her becoming possibly one of the most photographed female athletes for several years.
A Challenging Endeavor to Reach the Olympics
During her collegiate phase, Allison didn’t experience the same triumph she had once garnered. She decided to devote energy to her sociology studies at the University of California, Berkeley.
Even though she achieved reasonable outcomes, it may have dawned on her that she wasn’t destined for world-class athleticism. Nonetheless, Allison persisted in pole vaulting post-degree, aspiring to secure a spot for the 2012 London Olympics, though she fell short in her endeavors.
Fortunately, new avenues soon materialized.
Allison transitioned to work as a sportswear model, emerging prominently for Nike, and partnered with GoPro to exhibit the nuances and hurdles of pole vaulting, crafting a memorable ad amassing over 6.5 million YouTube views.
Finding Love and New Beginnings
Allison hung up her competitive gear in 2017. Conceivably, love partly inspired this fresh life chapter? That very year, she began a romantic journey with Rickie Fowler, an American professional golfer.
Fowler, who hailed from Murrieta, California, closely linked to Allison’s seaside birthplace, decided to relocate to Florida, with Allison accompanying him in this new escapade.
The affectionate pair pledged their engagement a year later and exchanged vows in 2019. Today, they’re proud parents to two daughters, their most recent addition, Nellie!
Life After the Viral Wave
Currently, Allison Stokke has almost 700,000 Instagram followers, indicating her enduring influence. But more vital is that the 35-year-old has reclaimed autonomy over her narrative — a striking shift from the 2007 episode when others attempted defining her identity.
She uses her platform to amplify female voices in sports, attuned to the struggles young girls encounter, often steering them away from beloved pursuits. Allison champions the cause, understanding from studies and personal insight the significance of female perseverance and the compelling need for constant encouragement.
“Did you know that by the age of 14 girls drop out of sports at two times the rate of boys? We have lows and highs–probably more disappointment than success–but it’s all about how we overcome and move forward to ultimately improve! This is an example of a recent mishap, i.e., pole break, resulting in a broken finger and a few weeks away from pole vaulting. This has me sidelined for a bit, but I will be back even stronger. Let’s inspire the next generation of girls to redefine what it means to be powerful!,” she shared on Instagram.
So, let’s reminisce about Allison Stokke not merely as a viral spectacle; she was a phenomenally talented athlete worthy of acknowledgment for her sporting accomplishments. It’s reassuring to witness her currently flourishing with Rickie and their delightful family, choosing to lead with fulfillment and vibrancy.
Despite the adversities, Allison navigated those turbulent years with grace and resilience! A search online still reveals countless mentions of her, yet many overlook celebrating her genuine talents. Let this narrative serve as an ode to her steadfast dedication and impressive milestones.
