The Most Memorable Moments From the 2024 Paris Olympics

From the Turkish shooter to the breakdancing debacle, what a memorable Olympics

And just like that—another Summer Olympics has come and gone. The 2024 Paris Games were nothing short of unforgettable, a spectacle of tear-jerking victories, gasp-inducing moments, and enough controversy to keep tongues wagging for years to come. But beyond the athletic feats and the occasional whiff of injustice, these Games were also a treasure trove of funny, awkward, and downright bizarre moments that have already found their way into the endless abyss of memes. Here’s a roundup of the best, the worst, and the most WTF moments you might have loved—or missed—during this year’s Olympics.

A Pregnant Olympian’s Unexpected Reveal

Competing in the Olympics is impressive enough, but doing it while seven months pregnant? That’s a whole new level of extraordinary. Nada Hafez, a 26-year-old Egyptian fencer, stunned the world when she revealed on Instagram that she was “carrying a little Olympian” after making it to the round of 16 in women’s saber. While she ultimately lost to South Korea’s Jeon Hayoung, her 16th-place finish marked her best result in any of the three Olympics she’s competed in. 

The Turkish Shooter’s Laid-Back Swagger

Yusuf Dikec, the Turkish pistol shooter, became an overnight sensation for his nonchalant demeanor as he shot his way to a silver medal. Images of Dikec shooting with one hand in his pocket, donning a simple T-shirt and a pair of standard-issue glasses, quickly went viral. He was likened to a regular guy who somehow stumbled into the Olympics—or perhaps even a hitman, with his impassive expression and effortless precision. But Dikec is no novice; at 51, he’s been competing in the Summer Olympics since 2008, and his experience showed in every casual shot he took.

South Korea’s Sharpshooter Steals the Show

If Olympic shooting wasn’t on your radar before, South Korea’s Kim Yeji probably changed that. The 31-year-old sharpshooter became an internet sensation when a photo of her competing in the 10-meter air pistol event went viral. With a stone-cold glare and a stuffed toy elephant—belonging to her five-year-old daughter—strapped to her belt, Yeji looked every bit the main character. She took home the silver, finishing second to her good friend and former teammate, Oh Ye-jin. It was a masterclass in women supporting women while looking effortlessly cool.

Australia’s Breaking Debacle

As breakdancing—officially known as breaking—made its Olympic debut in Paris, Australia’s Rachael Gunn found herself in an unexpected spotlight. The 36-year-old university lecturer (also known as Raygun) lost her three round-robin contests by an aggregate score of 54-0, and social media wasn’t kind. Gunn’s routine, which involved bouncing around the stage like a kangaroo, rolling on the floor, and standing on her head, was mercilessly mocked online. But Gunn was undeterred, insisting she “wanted to move differently,” and move differently she did.

A Porta-Potty Predicament with a Cheeky Twist

Team USA sprinter Kendall Ellis knows a thing or two about unfortunate timing. During the Olympic track trials, the three-time NCAA champion found herself trapped inside a porta-potty, convinced she would miss her chance to race. After a staff member finally freed her, Ellis managed to pull off a stellar performance and secure her spot on the Olympic team. The incident, though embarrassing, turned out to be a marketing goldmine. Ahead of her semi-final run in Paris, Ellis announced a sponsorship with Charmin a US  toilet-paper brand, turning her mishap into a cheeky catchphrase: “from backside to trackside.”

A Photo Finish for the Ages

Every second counted—literally—in the Men’s 100-meter final, where Team USA’s Noah Lyles squeaked out a victory by a mere 5,000th of a second. The race was so close that even 30 seconds after crossing the finish line, no one knew who had won. A photo finish revealed Lyles had barely edged out Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson, who took silver. The race was a nailbiter, with two runners—Thompson and Team USA’s Fred Kerley—technically crossing the line first with their feet, but Lyles’ torso hit the finish line first, securing his victory. “I thought I got out-leaned, truly,” Lyles admitted after the race. “And then my name came up, and I was like, ‘Oh shoot, I am incredible.’”

The One Who Cockblocked Himself

In a moment that defies even the wildest expectations of Olympic mishaps, French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati found himself at the center of a viral sensation—though not for the reasons any athlete would hope. During the qualifying rounds, Ammirati’s attempt to clear the bar ended in an unfortunate yet spectacular fashion: he knocked the bar off with his crotch. While Ammirati finished in 12th place, without enough points to advance to the final, it quickly became the talk of the internet, with many finding the humor in the situation too good to pass up. The 21-year-old athlete, showing both humility and a sharp sense of humor, took to social media to acknowledge the attention, quipping, “You create more buzz for your package than your performances.”

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