Though the 2024 Summer Olympics started just over a week ago, it feels like we’ve already accrued a lifetime of content from this year’s Games. From a nationwide obsession with Pommel Horse Guy to a heartwarming gender reveal, here’s a roundup of the viral moments that took the Internet by storm from the first week of the 2024 Olympics.
Do You Know the Muffin Man?
Henrik Christiansen is an award-winning swimmer from Norway, but at this year’s Games, the 27-year-old is best known as the Olympic Muffin Man. After posting several TikTok videos professing his love for the chocolate muffins in the Olympic Village, Christiansen quickly gained a cult following. He now has Olympians and followers alike dying to get a taste of his sweet treat of choice.
Olympic-Level Shade
It was no surprise that the US women’s gymnastics team brought home the gold at the gymnastics team final on Tuesday. What did catch people by surprise, though, was Olympic veteran and gymnastics icon Simone Biles’ Instagram caption under her post celebrating the win. “Lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions,” she wrote, alongside four triumphant photos of her and her teammates. The caption is believed to be a response to Biles’ former teammate, MyKayla Skinner, who said that this year’s Olympic gymnasts “just don’t have the work ethic” in a since-deleted video. Fans quickly picked up on Biles’ indirect target. “The caption is also worthy of a gold metal,” wrote one user.
Former Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney further fueled followers’ suspicions. “Feels like I need to apologize just to redeem my first name,” she commented under Biles’ post. If there were any doubt left about who Biles’ caption might be directed toward, fellow Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles then posted a photo on social media showing that Skinner had blocked Biles on Instagram.
Pommel Horse Guy
When the US men’s gymnastics team took the floor on July 29, Twitter quickly focused on one member. In a now-viral tweet, one viewer noted that 25-year-old Stephen Nedoroscik, who specializes in the pommel horse event, “sits there until he’s activated like a sleeper agent, whips off his glasses like Clark Kent and does a pommel horse routine that helps deliver the team its first medal in 16 years.” Nedoroscik, who is referred to as “The Specialist” for his expertise, has become a fan favorite of this year’s Team USA.
Shooters Gotta Shoot
Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec grabbed viewers’ attention when he effortlessly nabbed the silver medal for the 10 meter air pistol mixed competition. Dikec’s nonchalant stance and lack of protective gear during the event led to a frenzy of memes about his backstory – he was even dubbed the ‘hitman’ of the Olympics.
Dikec wasn’t the only sharpshooter to win the Internet’s affection. South Korea’s Kim Yeji exuded major main character energy during the women’s 10 meter air pistol competition. Similar to Dikec, Yeji had a seemingly effortless approach to her Olympic event – but with a markedly cooler style. Yeji’s streetwear fashion sense and incredible skill have gained her admirers all around the world.
A Family Affair
The Olympics are incredibly special not just for the athletes, but also the family members that have supported them along their journey. Each Games provides viewers a plethora of wholesome family moments, and this year has been no exception.
For swimmer Ryan Murphy, competing in the 100 meter backstroke led to two life changing moments: winning a bronze medal for Team USA, and learning that he is going to be a girl dad. As the medal ceremony drew to a close, Murphy’s wife Bridget Konttinen held up a sign that said, “Ryan it’s a girl,” revealing their future child’s sex to him for the first time.
Flying High
Brazilian Olympic surfer Gabriel Medina was quite literally flying high when he broke the Olympic record for the highest single-wave score last Monday. In what many consider the defining photo of the Olympics, photographer Jerome Brouillet captured Medina mid-air, celebrating his victory while he soared above the water and exited the barrel of a wave.
Manhood Mishap
French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati might have one of the most unique claims to fame this Olympic season. The 21-year-old’s Olympic journey came to an end when his crotch collided with the crossbar, failing his qualifying track for the final. And while Ammirati’s performance didn’t go as planned, the Internet was certainly still impressed – albeit for other reasons.
Just Horsing Around
As NBC’s special correspondent for this year’s Games, Snoop Dogg was expected to attend the Dressage Team Grand Prix Special on Saturday. But there was just one issue – Snoop is afraid of horses. Luckily, longtime bestie Martha Stewart came through to support the rapper at the event. The pair showed out in matching equestrian gear, complete with helmets and breeches, in one of the most iconic moments from the Games so far.
With another week left of the Games, there will undoubtedly be more memes, main characters, and memorable moments coming out of Paris. Want to stay caught up? Watch the Olympics live on NBC or stream now on Peacock.
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