Greased Pole Walk Record Shattered at World Eskimo-Indian Olympics

At the 2024 World Eskimo-Indian Olympics in Fairbanks, Alaska, a remarkable feat was achieved when college student Leif Richards traversed a greased wooden pole, covering a distance of 15 feet, 4.5 inches, thus breaking a 45-year-old world record. The former record of 13 feet, 6 inches was established by Gene Andrew in 1981. Since 1961, these annual games have honored Indigenous athleticism and culture through traditional events such as the knuckle hop and Alaskan high kick. Richards, studying at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, expressed that community takes precedence over winning. Coach Kyle Ḵaayák’w Worl highlighted the significance of cultural transmission to future generations and hopes to share the games with a worldwide audience. The greased pole walk mimics the challenges of moving across slippery sea ice or wet logs during subsistence hunting.