2024 Paris Olympics: 11 Viral Moments and Memes

2024 saw the Paris Olympics, where approximately 10,000 elite athletes from around the globe participated in over 300 competitions. Held every four years, this multi-billion dollar event is a grand spectacle that captivates audiences worldwide. The internet was abuzz with excitement, sharing and re-sharing the most thrilling, humorous, and surprising moments of the Olympics. Enjoy our curated collection below!

11 viral moments from the Paris Olympics

Turkish shooter’s “insane aura”

At the Paris Olympics, Yusuf Dikeç, a 51-year-old Turkish pistol shooter, became incredibly famous for his laid-back stance and minimal gear. His appearance on the field was strikingly contrasted with most other athletes who were heavily equipped with specialized lenses, ear defenders, and more. The internet couldn’t help but draw comparisons to John Wick due to his unique style.

In a flash, this situation took off like wildfire, leading to a continuous loop of humorous internet references known as memes. Many esports companies also got caught up in the excitement. BLAST SLam humorously suggested that the Turkish shooter had become Muerta’s new character in Dota 2.

Cloud9 VALORANT memed: “How my chamber shoots vs. how their chamber shoots.”

Imane Khelif’s fight at the Paris Olympics

At the Paris Olympics, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif gained widespread acclaim, however, the controversy surrounding her gender was initially quite contentious. After just 46 seconds in the ring, Italian boxer Angela Carini conceded defeat to Imane, and subsequently made statements that sparked a significant debate about Imane’s biological sex.

Amidst the intense debate, Imane amassed a great number of fervent supporters. Notably, she triumphed over Yang Liu from China to secure the Gold medal in the Women’s 66KG Boxing division.

South Korean’s shooter exudes “Main Character Energy”

One of the initial viral incidents showcased South Korea’s Kim Ye-ji during the Women’s shooting competition at the Paris Olympics, where she was vying for the Gold medal. With a determined posture and an indifferent demeanor, her skills led her to win the Silver medal. The internet community widely acknowledged their admiration for her, using the term “STAN.”

Pole vaulter loses in the most hilarious way

How can we narrate such an unusual incident? Anthony Ammirati, a French pole vaulter, was trying for the third time to clear a 5.7-meter bar during the competition. He seemed to have easily surpassed it, but unfortunately, his pants got hooked on the bar, causing it to fall. This unexpected twist in events marked a drastic change in his performance at the Paris Olympics. The young athlete, aged 21, expressed his feelings by saying, “It was truly disheartening.”

A historic moment in gymnastics

As a gamer, I was thrilled on August 5th when women’s gymnastics made history with an all-Black podium. In the floor competition, Brazil’s Rebecca Andrade clinched the champion title. My fellow Americans Simon Biles and Jordan Chiles took home silver and bronze respectively. The historic event saw them celebrating my victory, a moment that quickly became internet gold!

Pommel Horse Guy is America’s new Superman

Stephen Nedoroscik gained widespread attention, becoming known as “The Pommel Horse Man,” when videos surfaced online showing him napping while waiting for his turn during the challenging final routine on the pommel horse in men’s gymnastics competition. His outstanding performance helped secure third place for the USA team, marking their first medal in men’s gymnastics after 16 years of competing.

People involved in esports and gaming community couldn’t hide their excitement when they found out that Nedoroscik is a player of Rocket League! A video clip of him playing the game from Psyonix became widely popular on various online platforms.

Chinese gymnast metal-biting moment

At the podium, Zhou Yaqin won our affection alongside two other Italian gymnasts. With a Silver medal clutched in her hand, she struck a pose for photographers. However, she swiftly observed that the Italian Gold and Bronze medalists shared a similar metal-biting stance, and she promptly (and endearingly) adjusted her own posture to match theirs.

Snoop Dogg spices up the Paris Olympics with his presence

The well-known rap artist and public figure, Snoop Dogg, won over hearts across America as he enthusiastically supported his country. Reports claim that Snoop Dogg was paid an impressive $500,000 a day to participate in the Paris Olympics, and he’s seizing every opportunity at this event. Notably, he carried the torch for the USA, provided commentary during the badminton competition, and continued to dazzle with his stylish outfits throughout.

Ewa Swoboda challenges IShowSpeed to a race

A Polish sprinter gained widespread attention on the web due to several engaging appearances. Her charming character was evident in various video clips, and viewers adored her friendly demeanor. However, the most intriguing incident took place after her events concluded, when she extended a racing challenge to one of the top streamers, IShowSpeed. In response, Speed showed enthusiasm. We are eagerly waiting to see how this race challenge unfolds moving forward.

A movie scene unfolds at the Paris Olympics

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, not only did we see intense competition unfold, but also heartwarming moments reminiscent of a film. Following Huang Ya Qiong’s triumphant win of the Gold medal in Women’s Badminton, she was greeted by her fellow Badminton Olympian, Liu Yuchen. To her astonishment, he got down on one knee and proposed, making her gold-winning moment even more precious.

Breakdancing?

As the Olympics neared its conclusion, a relatively unknown breakdancer unexpectedly became the center of attention. Making its initial appearance in the Paris Games, Breakdancing was introduced for the first time ever. However, many online spectators predict this will be the final year for the category due to Raygun’s controversial performance. The Australian dancer showcased a peculiar breakdance routine that quickly gained virality, sparking widespread comments such as, “when you exaggerate on your resume.”