Paris Olympics’ Most Viral Stars: The Bulge, Turkey’s John Wick and Pommel Horse Pro

As a seasoned social media enthusiast and Olympics aficionado, I must say that these viral sensations at the 2024 Paris Games have truly outdone themselves! The athletes who have managed to capture our hearts and tickle our funny bones are nothing short of extraordinary.

At the Olympics, winning gold medals is fantastic, but consider this: which athletes will be returning home with global attention focused on an unusual aspect of their physique? The French pole-vaulter Anthony Ammirati unexpectedly became a viral sensation due to an incident where it appeared his bulge, rather than clearing the bar, was the focus. Although he’s the only one in Paris who achieved fame this way among Olympians, there have been other internet sensations at the Olympics, such as a laid-back Turkish shooter and a swimmer with a fondness for muffins. Here are EbMaster‘s top 5 most talked-about athletes online.

Yusuf Dikec, aka Turkish John Wick

As a cinema enthusiast, I never imagined Keanu Reeves’ deadly character from the Matrix would find himself unwittingly embroiled in the 2024 Olympics. That was until Yusuf Dikec, a Turkish shooter, stepped onto the scene at the mixed team 10-meter air pistol event. Little did he know that his casual demeanor, with one hand casually tucked into his pocket and a pair of glasses peering down the barrel of his gun, would become an internet sensation within hours of the Tuesday event.

As an ardent admirer, I’d like to recount an astonishing feat: A 51-year-old man from Turkey competed in an event without specialized lenses, protective eyewear, or earplugs, yet he managed to secure a silver medal. Incredible, isn’t it? His determination and skill truly shine through his unorthodox approach.
— non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) July 31, 2024

Stephen Nedoroscik, aka Pommel Horse Guy

In a stunning turn of events at the Olympics, Stephen Nedoroscik, an electrical engineering graduate from Penn State University and Rubik’s Cube enthusiast, emerged as an unexpected gymnastics hero for Team USA. Despite Simone Biles stealing the limelight, it was Nedoroscik who truly shined on the pommel horse. His exceptional performance earned him the nickname “Pommel Horse Guy,” and left spectators in awe. As one social media user put it, he “dominated” the pommel horse, helping the men’s team to win their first individual medal since 2016. The anticipation before his spectacular routine was palpable, with Nedoroscik closing his eyes and donning glasses. This moment spawned a flurry of memes, while the removal of his spectacles to become the newly-crowned champion drew comparisons to Clark Kent transforming into Superman. With biopic writers no doubt already at work, it’s clear that Nedoroscik’s story is far from over.

I can’t get enough of the gymnast on the U.S. men’s team who specializes in the pommel horse event. He spends most of his time waiting to be activated, much like a secret agent ready for action. When it’s his turn, he removes his glasses in a manner reminiscent of Clark Kent, and then executes an astonishing pommel horse routine that played a crucial role in the team winning their first medal in 16 years.
— Megan 📚 (@MegWritesBooks) July 29, 2024

Kayak Cross, aka Mario Kart With Boats

In every Olympics, there’s an event that appears more like exuberant chaos than refined athletic skill. During the Winter Games, it’s snowboard cross; at Paris, the mayhem moved to water for kayak cross. Competitors are launched from a height of 2 meters into a 210-meter whitewater course with obstacles such as buoys to circle, an eskimo roll to perform, and each other’s kayaks to avoid. Even though all participants demonstrate impressive paddling abilities, the races frequently resemble a watery bumper car game or ‘Mario Kart With Boats,’ as some have labeled it on social media, with competitors often crashing into one another. It’s utter chaos (and thrilling to witness).

Kayak Cross is kind of like Mario Kart with boats.
— ProfNoctis (@ProfNoctis) August 4, 2024

Henrik Christiansen, aka Muffin Man

Many Olympic athletes have been sharing their Paris experiences on social media, but none have been as enthusiastic about muffins as Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen. His TikTok account has become a heartfelt ode to the delectable treats that are available in the Olympic village. Among the numerous videos he posted, one stood out where he self-proclaimed himself as the “Olympic Muffin Man,” featuring an audio clip from “Shrek” asking “Do you know the Muffin Man?” Unfortunately, Christiansen didn’t advance past the heats for the men’s 1500m freestyle. It wasn’t the muffins that were blamed for his elimination.

At present, I’m deeply engrossed in Henrik Christiansen, a Norwegian swimmer at the Olympics. He’s not just passionate about swimming but also has an unusual fondness for the chocolate muffins available in the Olympic village. You could say he can’t get enough of them and often shares his enthusiasm through TikTok videos.
— aaalex 🪩🎀✨ (@dunebarbie) July 30, 2024

Anthony Ammirati, aka Olympic Baguette

During the potential iconic moment at Paris 2024, French pole-vaulter Anthony Ammirati fell short in clearing 5.70m and missed qualifying for the final, seemingly due to a prominent bulge in his snug pants. This bulge reportedly caused the bar to dislodge from its position, sparking a flurry of jokes among thousands of online humorists. Comments ranged from “When you’re about to win an Olympic medal but your enormous manhood gets in the way while the whole world watches in slow motion,” to “He brought that baguette to the game,” and “I see big things in his future.” Other posts included “Spend a decade training. Counting every calorie. Measuring every vital. Getting 8.15 hours of sleep every night. Only to lose out on an Olympic medal because your manhood wasn’t concealed. Devastating.”

Observers seem to be struggling to accept that Anthony Ammirati didn’t pass the bar exam, finding it quite amusing. I can barely contain myself! 😂
— Gladys Wotching (@Glodyswotcher) August 3, 2024

2024-08-05 21:19