During the Paris Olympics, not all viral moments were about winning gold medals. With thousands of people in Paris and millions watching worldwide, nothing goes unnoticed. In today’s world, anyone can go viral at any time, whether they’re trying to or not.
For example, at La Defense Arena, where some of the world’s best swimmers competed, a middle-aged man in colorful trunks became a hero when he dived in to rescue a stuck swimming cap from the bottom of the pool. His triumphant arm-raising moment got the crowd cheering.
Another standout moment came from Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, who, unlike his competitors, didn’t wear high-tech gear. Instead, he casually tucked his non-shooting hand into his pocket while competing. This laid-back pose quickly spread across social media, with even other athletes mimicking it.
Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen also went viral, not for his swimming, but for his love of chocolate chip muffins at the Olympic Village. His enthusiastic review earned him the nickname “muffin man,” even though he didn’t make it to the finals in his events.
In gymnastics, history was made when Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade won gold in the women’s floor final, making it the first all-black podium in Olympic gymnastics history. Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, who took silver and bronze, bowed to Andrade in a moment of respect. Unfortunately, Chiles later lost her bronze medal due to a ruling.
Team USA’s Stephen Nedoroscik, known as the ‘pommel horse guy,’ went viral for his intense focus before competing, leading to comparisons with Superman. His dedication paid off with two bronze medals, and his girlfriend even updated her social media profile to reflect his new fame.
French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati became an online sensation for an unexpected reason when he knocked off the bar with his crotch during a jump. While it didn’t affect his qualification, the video became a viral hit.
Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn struggled to win over the audience in the new Olympic sport of breaking. Her routine, which included kangaroo-like hops and headstands, didn’t impress the judges or social media users, but she defended her unique style.
One of the most memorable images from the Olympics was captured by French photographer Jerome Brouillet, who snapped a perfect shot of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina. The photo of him leaping off a wave became a social media favorite.
Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqin also had a viral moment when she hesitated before lightly biting her silver medal, a tradition often done to check if it’s real gold. Zhou’s confusion as to why athletes do this only added to the charm of the moment.
Finally, American rapper Snoop Dogg was a regular sight at many Olympic events, offering commentary for NBC. His reactions and presence at the games made him a fan favorite, sparking speculation that he could even be Team USA’s flag bearer at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
These moments, big and small, show that the Paris Olympics were full of surprises, where athletes and spectators alike could find themselves in the spotlight.
Credit goes to BBC for covering these unique stories.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/czjyd1xdw2wo