Romain Mesnil runs naked through Paris

[rainbowgirl28]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20090329/to ... 87f7f.html

French pole vaulter runs naked through Paris
5 hours 43 mins ago
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A French pole vaulting champion has run naked with his pole through the streets of Paris and posted the video on the Internet, hoping to draw attention to his quest for a new sponsorship deal. Skip related content

Romain Mesnil, who won a silver medal at the 2007 Athletics World Championships in Osaka, used to be sponsored by U.S. sports brand Nike but says his contract expired last year and was not renewed.

"It was probably for budgetary and strategic reasons. It's the crisis," he wrote on his website (www.romain-mesnil.com).

Many athletes have reported difficulties obtaining corporate sponsorship as companies cut costs because of the global economic downturn.

In his video, Mesnil runs with his pole as if preparing for a vault at tourist spots like Montmartre and the Pont des Arts across the River Seine. A black square has been added to the footage to cover his private parts.

The video has succeeded in drawing attention to Mesnil's plight, at least in France. It was broadcast on primetime state television news bulletins.

[Bubba PV]

I just saw this online and was about to post it so no one thought it was an April Fools joke. Thanks Becca

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sp ... ough_paris


Pole Vault Champ Seeks Attention By Streaking Through Paris
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Posted By Tom Ziller 1:40 PM
Apparently, winning a silver medal in the World Championships for pole vaulting doesn't ensure a lifetime supply of money. Romain Mesnil, a 2007 medalist from France, got dropped by Nike last year. He needs cash.

The best way to get it, he figures, is by streaking through Paris.
Many athletes have reported difficulties obtaining corporate sponsorship as companies cut costs because of the global economic downturn.

In his video, Mesnil runs with his pole as if preparing for a vault at tourist spots like Montmartre and the Pont des Arts across the River Seine. A black square has been added to the footage to cover his private parts.
You can watch the video on YouTube, or take Reuters' word for it. (There is some naked bum action, but the black box otherwise does it's job.)

I must say, Mesnil's a bit of a genius. Reuters reports that French television has broadcast the clip during news reports, and ... well, I'm posting it, aren't I?

[rainbowgirl28]

LOL here is the video, it's pretty funny! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZqkqJB_Yeo

Don't worry, there is a black square censoring him, though there are some nice shots of his bum, so you might not want to view it at work.

[chasing6]

Kudos to Mesnil. Nothing wrong with a little publicity! Already at 82k views on youtube too, so it seems to be viral enough. I wouldn't be surprised if he lands a deal out of it.

[powerplant42]

Uh-oh...
"Vous n'avez encore rien vu..." = "You ain't seen nothin' yet..."

[rainbowgirl28]

Uh-oh...
"Vous n'avez encore rien vu..." = "You ain't seen nothin' yet..."

For the record, if he does post a more revealing video, don't post the link here because I'll just delete it.

It will be interesting to see what his next move is!

[KirkB]

I saw Mesnil's vid on the Global Evening News in Vancouver last night!

He's getting some good milage out of his publicity stunt!

[ArcadiaPV]

Nice pole carry.

[rainbowgirl28]

His eBay auction is doing well! http://cgi.ebay.fr/Un-contrat-de-sponso ... 55212000QQ

[rainbowgirl28]

Oh good heavens... (a lot more censored nudity): http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9itjh_virus-po1l_fun

[KirkB]

Calm down, RainbowGirl! You're a married woman now! You shouldn't be so infatuated by these vids!

Kirk