Eight Olympic icons of 2024 – from Muffin Man to dad bod bloke in vivid speedos
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games has thrown up some interesting characters.
The games began as they were meant to go on, with a mystifying opening ceremony along the Seine that took onlookers’ breaths away – despite not getting the nod from the gods, as the heavens opened.
For one reason or another, the sporting spectacle has introduced us figures who will stay long in the memory – accompanied by the omnipotent Snoop Dogg. From a speedo hero to a muffin-obsessed long-distance swimmer, the viral stars of Paris 2024 will not be forgotten in a hurry.
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The Muffin Man
Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen built a cult following during the games, thanks to his documented love for the chocolate muffins served in the Olympic village.
Catapulting from just 3000 followers to nearly half a million, Christiansen entered his third Olympic Games with a very different goal than becoming an internet sensation, but that’s just the way the cookie, or muffin, crumbles.
The dessert in question was in high demand among the villagers, and the company catering to the athletes’ needs, Sodexo Live!, revealed that it expected to serve 100,000 of the sweet treats throughout the Games.
Speedo-rocking lifeguard
While swimming stars like Katie Ledecky and Adam Peaty lit up the París La Defense Arena, they weren’t the brightest stars in the pool these Games – that title belongs to an anonymous speedo-clad lifeguard.
(Image: AP)
During a women’s 100m breaststroke prelim, Team USA’s Emma Weber lost one of her two swimming caps, which was left floating in the pool, halting proceedings.
The fan-proclaimed ‘hero’ took it upon himself to retrieve the cap, stripping down to his brilliantly loud speedos, diving in, and cementing himself as an Olympic icon.
Breakdancing icon
(Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
No social feed could be scrolled down without witnessing B-Girl Raygun’s performance for Australia as Olympic breaking debuted in Paris.
36-year-old university lecturer Rachael Gunn’s performance was both perplexing and legendary, as many questioned her eligibility to compete in the first place. She unsparingly lost all three matchups at the Games but won hearts nonetheless.
The real pole vault king
While Sweden’s Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis broke his own pole vault world record at the Stade de France, his feat may have been overshadowed by a well endowed rival.
21-year-old Anthony Ammirati was attempting his third jump at the height of 5.70m, with the final in his sights. But, the French athlete failed to consider his bulge, which caused him to fail the jump and miss the final.
(Image: Getty Images)
While the Frenchman was obviously gutted at his elimination, fans weren’t. A slow-motion video of the incident set the internet alight and will not be forgotten soon.
Coldest man in existence
Producing perhaps the most iconic picture of Paris 2024, Turkish shooting ace Yusuf Dikec caught fans’ imaginations with his raw approach to competition.
Winning silver for his country, Dikec wasn’t lined with equipment like his rivals – instead opting for just his specs. His carefree stylish attitude has caused other athletes, including the record-breaking Duplantis and Team GB’s 4×400 relay team, to copy the Turk’s stance.
The ever-present Snoop Dogg
(Image: Getty Images)
Touted as the biggest Olympic winner, rapper Snoop Dogg has covered every inch of the Games in Paris, popping up in random locations to the amusement of fans.
His mission began with him carrying the torch ahead of the Games. He went on to take a dip with Michael Phelps, cheered on team USA’s gymnastics squad, and ushered in a new sport in breaking. All the while, he was seen endlessly supporting his nation.
Pommel horse guy
25-year-old Stephen Nedoroscik impressed on the pommel horse at the Games, but his relaxed agenda and Clark Kent-like transformation when competing have turned him into a viral sensation.
Whipping off his specs and delivering bronze for Team USA, the Superman of the pommel horse is also noted for his love of the Rubik’s Cube – being able to solve one in less than 10 seconds.
Medal-munching Chinese gymnast
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Dubbed the cutest moment of the Games, Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqin’s confusion at her Italian podium-goers traditionally biting down on their medals led her to take a half-hearted nibble of her own.
Yaqin finished with silver, while Italian pair Alice D’Amato and Manila Esposito won gold and bronze, respectively. When the duo posed for cameras, Yaqin heart-warmingly felt obliged to follow and cemented herself as an Olympic cult hero.
