Olympian lands Victoria's Secret casting call days after drug-test ban
The pole vaulter said she received a callback for the fashion show on TikTok days after a 20-month suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit.
Alysha Newman , a Canadian Olympic pole vaulter who won a bronze medal during the 2024 Summer Olympics, announced she was invited to an in-person casting call for Victoria's Secret. Newman, 31, who is from Ontario, Canada, shared a video May 5 on TikTok where she said she "uprooted my entire life" to move to Los Angeles. The announcement comes just days after she was given a 20-month suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit after missing drug tests, according to a statement released by the AIU.
According to the organization, which aims to combat doping and other misconduct in athletics, Newman said that the missed drug tests are due to "a period of significant personal and professional change, which she described as increasingly disorganised and overwhelming. " The suspension would not have any significant impact on Newman, as she told the AIU that she planned to end her athletics career. More news: Fox Sports launches 'Miracle' World Cup ad campaign featuring USMNT Newman made announcement about Victoria's Secret on social media In the video, she shared a screenshot of the invitation from Victoria's Secret, inviting her to the in-person casting for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2026.
"See you soon @Victoria's Secret," Newman wrote in her post. If selected, Newman won't be the only athlete to walk in the fashion show. In 2025, professional basketball player Angel Reese , who plays for the WNBA team Atlanta Dream, was the first professional athlete to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers invasive species, space phenomena, scientific studies, natural disasters and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn , X , Instagram , and TikTok : @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett. com .