8 Viral Moments From The Paris Olympics That We'll Still Talk About After 4 Years
Some of these were seriously out-of-pocket.
By Celine Low — 14 Aug 2024, 06:08 PM
1. Australia's representative for the female breakdancing category
There's no way you haven't seen that one viral breakdancing performance from the Olympics. Tonnes of memes have been born from this unorthodox performance from Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun. The 36-year-old, a university lecturer with a PhD in cultural studies, did not score a single point in any of her three battles during the competition.
Her performance was also subject to online criticism, with users mocking the Australian's routine as she bounced around on stage like a kangaroo and flailed around with her hand on her chin.
"I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves, so I wanted to move differently, be artistic and creative because how many chances do you get in a lifetime to do that on an international stage? I was always the underdog and wanted to make my mark in a different way," Gunn said, responding to the online criticism.
2. China's Olympic gymnast Zhou Yaqin wins hearts by biting her silver medal
Zhou, who won silver for China, appeared confused when Italian gymnasts Alice D'Amato and Manila Esposito did the obligatory Olympic chomp as they posed for pictures. And so, after glancing over, the 18-year-old adorably gave her own medal a bite in front of the cameras.
She's so smol. (T _ T)
3. US track athlete Tara Davis-Woodhall leaps into her husband's arms after winning the women's long jump gold medal
A video of USA Paralympics athlete Hunter Woodhall, the husband of Davis-Woodhall, went viral because of his heartwarming reaction to his wife's triumph. The couple made the Internet go "aw" when Davis-Woodhall rushed to her husband to celebrate her gold medal win.
In the viral clip, Hunter embraces Davis-Woodhall and excitedly shouts, "Babe, you're the Olympic champion! You're the Olympic champion!"
Get yourself a partner as supportive as Woodhall.
Watch the sweet moment below:
4. French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati's "big disappointment"
Ammirati failed to advance to the men's pole vault finals when he missed his target height and got his private parts caught on the crossbar, sending it crashing down to the mat. The 21-year-old athlete was visibly let down, holding the sides of his head upon his own landing. He ultimately placed 15th in the competition.
"It's a big disappointment. I'm gutted," said the athlete after the mishap.5. National men's doubles Aaron-Wooi Yik's insane six-point comeback during their fight for bronze against Denmark's Anders Skaarup Rasmussen and Kim Astrup
The Malaysian pair had everyone on the edge of their seats when they nearly lost their chance to secure the country's first medal at the Paris Olympics. Things looked grim for the pair, who were on the brink of defeat at 16-20 in the second game. The world No. 3 pair managed to save four consecutive match points, giving themselves another fighting chance at the medal in a rubber set.
The duo ultimately clinched the men's doubles bronze after a hard-fought win against Denmark's world No. 2 pair, Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, with a score of 16-21, 22-20, 21-19.
As the saying goes, it's not over till it's over.
It is the pair's second bronze medal, having also finished third at Tokyo 2020.
6. Olympic skateboarder Nyjah Huston goes from bronze medallist to rusty medallist
Huston took to social media to share photos of his Paris Olympics bronze medal, which appeared discoloured, dull, and tarnished after a week.
"These Olympic medals look good when they're brand new, but after letting it sit on my skin with some sweat for a little bit and then letting my friends wear it over the weekend, they're apparently not as high quality as you would think," he said.
Paris 2024 medals contain a sliver of the Eiffel Tower as a nod to the host city, but the exact make up of medals vary between Olympics. A spokesperson for Paris 2024 said that athletes would be given replacements for any damaged medals, Time reported.
7. Ethiopian-Dutch marathoner Sifan Hassan accepted her gold medal in a hijab
On Wednesday, 12 August, Sifan Hassan went viral for donning a hijab on the Olympic podium to celebrate her record-setting marathon. This act was seen as a direct response to France's ban on hijabs for their own athletes, due to national laws prohibiting public servants from wearing religious symbols. The hijab ban does not apply to non-French participants at the Olympics.
Her actions garnered widespread praise online, with many commending her for showing solidarity with Muslim athletes who are directly impacted by these laws.
8. Tom Cruise brings the Olympics flag over to Los Angeles in total Mission Impossible-style
Paris closed their chapter on the Olympic Games by bringing some movie magic from Hollywood on Sunday, 11 August. Mission Impossible star Tom Cruise, known for his insane self-performed stunts, showed up at the closing ceremony of the Paris Games to bring the Olympic flag to Los Angeles, which is where the next Olympic Games will be held.
Channelling Ethan Hunt, Cruise can be seen carrying the flag with him while riding his motorcycle then jumping out of a plane before giving the iconic Hollywood sign an Olympic makeover.
