Dubai: Olympic athletes are feted for their skill, prowess, and the medals they win. However, this year’s Olympic fame is not limited to those who win medals. Thanks to social media, Olympic athletes are going viral not just for their performance but for other unique reasons.
1. Kim Ye-ji: South Korea’s stylish sharpshooter
The internet is buzzing with photos of South Korea’s pistol shooter, Kim Ye-ji at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Ye-ji won silver at the 10-meter air pistol event, while her 19-year-old teammate Oh Ye-jin won gold. However, it was Ye-ji’s unique style that truly made her a star.
With futuristic shooting glasses, a white cap and a short ponytail, and her daughter’s elephant blankie hanging from her left hand, Ye-ji’s look was as sharp as her aim. Many dubbed her as the “coolest athlete ever”.
An older video of Ye-ji competing in Azerbaijan in May also went viral on social media, gaining millions of views. It showed her setting a new world record.
2. Yusuf Dikeç: Less is more
Another shooter who went viral this year is Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikeç, but for entirely different reasons. While other athletes sported high-tech gear, Dikeç opted for a casual look that was refreshingly laid-back.
His silver medal in the 10-meter air pistol mixed team competition proved that style isn’t everything, but it certainly helps.
3. Stephen Nedoroscik: The pommel horse hero
Many casual fans of the Olympics didn’t necessarily know what a pommel horse routine was until this year’s US gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, made the gymnastics exercise famous on the internet.
Lovingly referred to as "pommel horse guy" Nedoroscik was the definition of calm under pressure. Apparently, he was named to the US men's gymnastics team for one reason: His extraordinary prowess on pommel horse.
During the men's team final, Nedoroscik's signature event was scheduled for the sixth and final rotation. He patiently waited his turn during the team final.
By the time it was his turn to perform, the US team needed a near-flawless pommel performance to keep hopes for the medal alive.
Nedoroscik stood up, calmly removed his glasses, and delivered a jaw-dropping routine to win the bronze medal for Team USA.
4. Gianmarco Tamberi’s lost wedding ring
During the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics, on July 26, Italian high jumper Gianmarco Tamberi was given the role of flagbearer for his country. As his boat sailed down the Seine River, during the kickoff to the Olympic Games, the Olympian stood on the ledge of the boat to wave the Italian flag.
Things quickly took a turn as his wedding ring slipped off of his finger and he watched it fall into the river below.
Tamberi later posted a poetic apology note to his wife, Chiara Bontempi Tamberi, on Instagram. He wrote: “I'm sorry my love, I'm so sorry. Too much water, too many kilos lost in the past few months or maybe the uncontrollable enthusiasm of what we were doing. Probably all three things, just the fact that I heard it parade, I saw it fly.... I followed it with my eyes until I saw it bouncing inside the boat. A glimmer of hope. But, unfortunately, the bounce was in the wrong direction … I saw it dive into the water like that was the only place she wanted to be.”
5. Gabriel Medina: Surfing sensation
Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina’s mind-blowing aerial maneuver, which was captured in a perfect photo, went viral on social media.
The image, taken during the men’s competition in Tahiti, showed Medina seemingly levitating above the waves. This unforgettable moment helped surfing gain new fans and solidified Medina’s status as a global superstar.
6. Henrik Christiansen: The Muffin Man
Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen took social media by storm with his obsession for Olympic Village muffins.
His TikTok account has become a virtual bakery, filled with videos of him enjoying the delicious treats. While he didn’t win a medal in the pool, Christiansen certainly won hearts with his love for baked goods.
