Pole Vaulter who Stopped for National Anthem has Local Ties Olympic Pole Vaulter Sam Kendricks is remembered more from the 2016 Summer Olympics for what he didn't do, rather than his actually jumping. During the qualifying round in Rio de Janeiro, Kendricks was getting ready to do a pole vault. He grabbed his pole and was running toward the bar when suddenly he stopped, dropped his pole, and stood at attention while the United States National Anthem played. Here is that story from ABC News... Kendricks was also a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. He went on to win a bronze medal in 2016. In winning the bronze, he become the first American to medal in the event in 12 years.