2024 Paris Olympics' 8 Most Memorable Viral Moments
The intersection of social media and an international event like the Olympics is bound to create memorable content.
As athletes from every direction of the globe compete in Paris, they've produced plenty of viral moments. Personalities, celebrations and all sorts of raw emotion have owned the spotlight at the Summer Games.
Today we're remembering some of the best.
Any number of moments are worthy of being highlighted, so consider this a personal list of viral pictures and videos.
General James
1 of 8
Dressed in a white jacket and surrounded by Team USA counterparts in navy, LeBron James looked like an icon of history.
George Washington, the first President of the United States, once served as a leader of the military. During the Revolutionary War, he led a surprise attack that involved the Continental Army crossing the Delaware River. The moment is depicted in a well-known painting.
LeBron's pose fit right in.
General James played a key role in Team USA reaching the gold-medal game against host nation France.
U.S. Gymnasts Honor Andrade
2 of 8
As much as Olympians can be ruthless competitors, it's easy to forget how many of them are good friends—or, at the very least, immensely respectful of each others' talents.
That moment was on full display after the women's gymnastics floor final.
U.S. icon Simone Biles and teammate Jordan Chiles won bronze and silver, respectively, as Brazilian star Rebeca Andrade took gold. As the trio shared the podium, Biles and Chiles bowed to give Andrade the spotlight.
"I think it's all about sportsmanship, and we don't care whether we win or lose," Biles said later. "We're always going to keep a good face and support our competitors because they've worked just as hard as we have for that moment."
Lightning and the Eiffel Tower
3 of 8
Severe weather had a small impact in Paris, delaying a few competitions in the early days of the Games. Beach volleyball, 3x3 basketball and race walking were among the events affected, but they resumed and overall stayed on schedule.
There's not much dramatic to say about an ordinary piece of our weather system. You've seen lightning.
But, hey, it's a sweet picture, right?
Not only is the Eiffel Tower an iconic landmark, it currently features the Olympic rings. While you could take a trip to Paris and happen upon a similar shot in a storm, it wouldn't include the Olympic overlap.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
The Coolest Man Alive
4 of 8
Someone forgot to tell Yusuf Dikec that the competition had started.
In seriousness, the Turkish marksman looked like a regular guy surrounded by a bunch of elite shooters. Specialized lenses that eliminate blur and increase precision are a common sight in the sport, but Dikec—nah, he doesn't need that fancy garbage.
Both eyes open. No ear protection. Hand in his pocket, just out in the backyard peppering some targets.
An absolute, silver-winning legend.
Dikec inspired a celebration from several athletes, including both athletes who took gold in pole vault: Mondo Duplantis (Sweden)—who, by the way, broke his own world record in the event—and Nina Kennedy (Australia).
Lyles Leaves in a Wheelchair
5 of 8
Noah Lyles seized a big chunk of the spotlight at the Paris Games, having consistently and convincingly backed up his showmanship.
The 27-year-old sprinter won the 100-meter dash on Sunday, becoming the first American to do so since Justin Gatlin in 2004.
Then two days before he was set to run in the 200-meter dash Thursday, he was diagnosed with COVID. The public didn't know of the diagnosis at the time, and given the illness, it's impressive Lyles managed to win bronze.
Botswana's Letsile Tebogo won gold and USA teammate Kenny Bednarek took silver. After the race, an exhausted Lyles dropped to the track and ultimately exited in a wheelchair as whispers of his illness began to emerge.
Medina Hovers in Tahiti
6 of 8
I understand the final day of the Olympics falls in mid-August, but Gabriel Medina wrapped up the gold medal for "best picture" of the Games before July even ended.
Seriously, what an incredible shot.
Medina celebrated a 9.90 from the second run of his Round of 16 matchup. The score set an Olympic record and propelled the Brazilian surfer into the quarterfinals of the men's shortboard competition.
Although he eventually lost in the semifinals, Medina defeated Peru's Alonso Correa to take bronze.
Superman Stephen Nedoroscik
7 of 8
Clark Kent, Stephen Nedoroscik, same thing.
Because of two eyesight conditions—strabismus and coloboma—the American gymnast wears glasses. Additionally, he specializes in a single event and doesn't compete in anything else.
So, when it's time to save the day, "Pommel Horse Guy" removes his glasses and becomes the U.S. team's Superman.
Best of all, Nedoroscik executed a clutch routine that launched the United States into bronze-medal position in the team all-around. He later won another bronze in the individual portion of pommel horse.
All hail our bespectacled king.
LeBron, Curry and a Huge Win
8 of 8
What happens when the greatest player of his generation, the greatest three-point shooter ever and a star-studded team assemble?
One epic comeback, and one dramatic picture.
In the semifinals, U.S. men's basketball trailed Serbia for nearly the entire game. Stephen Curry started hot for the Americans, but Nikola Jokic and Co. stormed ahead and took a 17-point lead in the second quarter. Serbia had a 13-point edge to begin the closing frame, too.
But then, LeBron and Curry took control. James notched six points and four assists in the fourth quarter, and Steph provided nine points—including two game-sealing free throws in the final seconds of a 95-91 win.
The thrilling victory led to that picture-worthy celebration from the NBA legends as Team USA advanced to the gold-medal game.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
