The Best Viral Moments of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (So Far)
After a long, long wait for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, we should've known that we'd be in for a hell of a ride when the first meme-y story was whether or not the beds in the Olympic Village were sex-proof.
Now, entering the final week of the Summer Games, we've already seen enough chaos to more than make up for the delay. The Opening Ceremony saw the emergence of an oiled-up, shirtless hero, set to the backdrop of the best video game music from this century. Once the events finally kicked off, we were introduced to a Terminator-looking, basketball-playing robot that served as the halftime entertainment for an early hoops game. (And proceeded to stick around in our nightmares!) Later in the weekend, Australian Ariarne Titmus upset Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle. And if you looked up in the stands, you could see Titmus's coach, Dean Boxall, absolutely losing his shit, which prompted the Twitter masses to lose their shit. Plus, you have to meet the Olympian who fixed her canoe with a condom, barfed, then took home the gold. We'll get to that.
On a more serious note, we saw a BLM protest that may have found a loophole in the IOC's protesting rule, as well as reactions to Simone Biles's return to win the bronze medal win in the balance beam after withdrawing from the USA team gymnastics events. Here are the best social media reactions to the Olympic Games so far.
Are the Beds in the Olympic Village Truly Unf*ckable?
Tokyo Olympics: Athletes demonstrate strength of cardboard beds rumoured to be ‘anti-sex’ beds https://t.co/4mDaGXoLig pic.twitter.com/v4ndoSdBc5
— Mothership.sg (@MothershipSG) July 23, 2021
Irish gymnast Rhys McClenaghan has responded to reports about ‘anti-sex beds’ at the Tokyo Olympics 👀
🎥: rhysmcc1 (IG) pic.twitter.com/Uj2b0GsJmA— LADbible (@ladbible) July 21, 2021
“Tell me you’re in the Olympic Village without telling me you’re in the Olympic Village”
*cardboard bed breaks just by sitting on it* 😅
Sustainability goals: Providing unstable beds on a trillion-dollar budget. I guess SDG #3 and #9 don’t matter? pic.twitter.com/80fHEGaVR9— 🕷farrah🕷 (@farrahakase) July 22, 2021
The Opening Ceremony Ends Up Being a Gigantic Win for Gamers
TOKYO OLYMPICS 2020 OPENING CEREMONY VIDEO GAME MUSIC LIST #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/9DPuHDyjEc
— ☆オードリーAudrey☆ (@aitaikimochi) July 23, 2021
Me spotting every video game soundtrack they’re using to play out the athletes #OpeningCeremony #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/iEobD6XSBK
— James Thompson (@jamesthompson8) July 23, 2021
the video game score for the Olympics opening ceremony is giving me major Pokémon Stadium vibes pic.twitter.com/hRzIAAHygZ
— Michelle Bruton (@MichelleBruton) July 23, 2021
SEGA: "allows a Sonic song play at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics*
Nintendo: *orders a cease an desist of the Tokyo Olympics*— SSF1991 (@SSF1991) July 23, 2021
The World Meets the Nightmare Basketball Robot
Making his Olympics debut, Mr. Robot 🤖 went for 3/3 at the half-time show!#Tokyo2020 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/GEFAJOve7d
— FIBA | #Basketball #Tokyo2020 (@FIBA) July 25, 2021
I, for one, would like to welcome our new basketball robot overlords. #Olympics
pic.twitter.com/ioZTuqse0i— Tyler Roney (@TylerJRoney) July 25, 2021
Slow Ass release, I would work this robot https://t.co/jYiko4JCrF
— Nick Marbles (@nick_marbles) July 25, 2021
Ben Simmons for the robot and a first https://t.co/scTvkGP30I
— Paul Blest (@pblest) July 25, 2021
Slow Ass release, I would work this robot https://t.co/jYiko4JCrF
— Nick Marbles (@nick_marbles) July 25, 2021
An Overly Enthusiastic Australian Swimming Coach Captures Our Hearts
damn this guy absolutely lost it pic.twitter.com/QB5I6dvNdr
— Max Tani (@maxwelltani) July 26, 2021
The Australian swimming coach went full Van Halen up there.
— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) July 26, 2021
Please give me the energy of Titmus’ swimming coach this week pic.twitter.com/M0vVbLN5qE
— Devin 📈 (@DevinPickell) July 26, 2021
Rayssa Leal Returns, Six Years Later, With a Glorious Encore
"I'm living a dream!" Brazilian skateboarder Rayssa Leal, who went viral at 7 while skating in a dress and fairy wings, has earned an Olympic silver medal at 13. https://t.co/EGu4wyECiH
— The Women's Organisation (@TheWomensOrg) July 27, 2021
I don't know anything about this but it's awesome: a fairytale heelflip in Brazil by #RayssaLeal (via @oliverbarton) pic.twitter.com/uZgshHYMMT
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) September 8, 2015
Seeing a few "I miss Vine" tweets in the feed. ... This Rayssa Leal fairy girl heelflip was the undefeated world heavyweight champion of all Vine posts. #sixseconds pic.twitter.com/Blm7HIEDEp
— Baphomet's Bastard ☭ Alexander Quaresma (@SavageSteamboat) July 15, 2020
Six years ago Tony Hawk tweeted a video Rayssa Leal trying to do a skateboarding trick….today she won silver in Tokyo pic.twitter.com/fCBuH2trn6 https://t.co/zH1nT96uHb
— Wu-Tang Is For The Children (@WUTangKids) July 26, 2021
Seemingly the Entire State of Alaska Cheers for Lydia Jacoby
As 17-year-old Lydia Jacoby prepares for her prelims swim, she’s making history as the first Olympic swimmer from Alaska. My @usatodaysports column: https://t.co/MOORCnYPqQ
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) July 25, 2021
WHAT. A. MOMENT. 🤩
Seward, Alaska celebrates hometown hero Lydia Jacoby winning #GOLD in the 100M Breaststroke #USA
(via @NBCOlympics) pic.twitter.com/4o5wxySeVZ— SI Olympics (@si_olympics) July 27, 2021
I am legit crying. Getting to know Lydia and her family was one of the most wonderful moments of living in Alaska. Way to do Seward proud! She wins gold in the 100 meter breaststroke!!! #Olympics
— MK Burgess (@MK_Burgess) July 27, 2021
There's only one Olympic sized swimming pool in Alaska and a 17-year-old from Alaska just won an Olympic Gold medal in swimming. That's badass.
— Kyle Sockwell (@kylesockwell) July 27, 2021
17-year-old Lydia Jacoby becomes the first Olympic gold medal swimmer from Alaska….so her family & friends back home celebrate accordingly.
The Olympics are special.pic.twitter.com/sdMfJrhWfC— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) July 27, 2021
Simone Biles Receives Support For Revealing Mental Health Struggles
Am I good enough? Yes, I am. The mantra I practice daily. @Simone_Biles, we are proud of you and we are rooting for you. Congratulations on the the silver medal, Team @USA! 🎊
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) July 28, 2021
I was 14 y/o w/ a tibial stress fracture, left alone w/ no cervical spine exam after this fall. I competed in the Olympic floor final minutes later. @Simone_Biles 🤍 decision demonstrates that we have a say in our own health—“a say” I NEVER felt I had as an Olympian. pic.twitter.com/LVdghdAh1g
— Dominique Moceanu (@Dmoceanu) July 28, 2021
“It just sucks when you are fighting with your own head.”
That, Simone Biles, may be one of the most perfect, economical descriptions of anxiety I’ve ever read.— Jennifer Senior (@JenSeniorNY) July 28, 2021
When you win the USA 5 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal, you deserve to take some time for yourself. @Simone_Biles, WE LOVE YOU ❤️✨
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) July 28, 2021
"A moment of undeniable strength."
Paul Pogba sends his support to Simone Biles ♥ pic.twitter.com/fCf6hvIvUH— Goal (@goal) July 28, 2021
Costa Rican Gymnast Luciana Alvarado Finds Potential Loophole in IOC Protest Rule
18-year-old Luciana Alvarado found a possible loophole in IOC’s protest rule at #Tokyo2020 https://t.co/75SwXjTGas
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) July 27, 2021
Costa Rican gymnast makes history with Black Lives Matter protest in floor routine.
The 18-year-old at the end of her floor routine, Luciana Alvarado took a knee, put her left arm behind her back and raised her right fist to the sky. pic.twitter.com/3Cjvx9RHKE— ~𝓣𝓮𝓷𝓪𝓬𝓲𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓣𝓮𝓪𝓱~ (@TeahCartel) July 25, 2021
Gymnast Luciana Alvarado ended her floor routine with a tribute to the #BlackLivesMatter movement, taking a knee and tilting her head back with her fist raised towards the sky. The 18-year-old told The Associated Press it was a deliberate decision #Rule50 https://t.co/BdQYxulc39
— Stanis Elsborg (@StanisElsborg) July 26, 2021
reminder that Luciana Alvarado from Costa Rica is literally making history for Costa Rica as the first gymnast to ever go to an Olympics and will be rotating with Chuso in quals!!! She has beautiful gymnastics please appreciate her!!!!
— agatha (@aaagaaathaaa) July 22, 2021
USA Swimmer Bobby Fink Goes Off in the Mens 800m
Horses can make a surge like this, maybe. Absolutely preposterous from Bobby Fink. #Olympics pic.twitter.com/cHYBR4gWnl
— John Lund (@lundinbridge) July 29, 2021
One Finke wins gold for USA (Bobby in 800); other Fink (Nic) fifth in 200 breaststroke. Bobby said he had “no idea” he could win a gold medal. Mad dash to the finish in distance race wins it for him. pic.twitter.com/1radYIcQln
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) July 29, 2021
Bobby Fink (Team USA #Swimming) threw it into overdrive to take home the GOLD🥇 in the men’s 800m freestyle.
🏊🔥#OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/exQcLs9Udj— Matthew J. Hillier 🇺🇸 (@MattHillier248) July 29, 2021
American Bobby Finke tracked them all dwn in the 1st ever 800 meter freestyle. I’m jumping up and dwn on 1 leg. #Olympics 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) July 29, 2021
Chinese Gymnast Xiao Ruoteng is Strangely Penalized for Not Saluting Judges
What a rollercoaster for my guy! Xiao Ruoteng... #Olympics2021 pic.twitter.com/qU5NqAjrNK
— Ustan 11,779 (@EsUstan) July 29, 2021
Xiao Ruoteng basically got a disrespect penalty for pumping his fists and not saluting the judges.
Gymnastics is mad old school.— Goldburn P. Maynard Jr. (@deathntaxesprof) July 29, 2021
If only 0.1 is deducted for stepping out of bounds with one foot, then stepping directly out of the mat should be deducted as appropriate! ?
Also, why is the penalty for failing to signal to the referee after completing the action 0.3 points, more than for going out of bounds?— Tim Zhou (@timzhou23) July 28, 2021
Gymnastics rules are: one hand one foot out of the circle is to buckle 0.3, Hashimoto's low score is also because of his difficulty is relatively low. And I also want to know, why xiao Ruoteng's performance on the horizontal bar was nearly perfect but was awarded 0.3 penalty?
— Wennie (@Wennie08282955) July 29, 2021
Jess Fox Fixes Her Canoe With a Condom, Barfs, Then Wins the Gold
SHE'S DONE IT! @jessfoxcanoe WINS C1 #GOLD!
At her 3rd Olympic Games Jess has completed her set of Olympic medals and creates history as the first ever Women's C1 Olympic Champion!
Take a bow Jess Fox, Australia is so proud of you!👏👏👏#TokyoTogether #CanoeSlalom @paddle_aus pic.twitter.com/3ZfYDRNqvJ— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 29, 2021
Jess Fox. What a brilliant young woman! And beautifully articulate - loved her talking about her ‘strategic vomit’... 🛶🥇 #Tokyo2020 #JessicaFox @AUSOlympicTeam #CanoeSlalom
— Melissa Hoyer (@melissahoyer) July 30, 2021
The smile when he realised his daughter was about to win gold.
The emotion afterwards...
Richard Fox was left speechless in the commentary box after his daughter, Jess Fox, won gold in Tokyo ❤️#Tokyo2020 | #7Olympics | #CanoeSlalom pic.twitter.com/oJDHA5fJYD— 7Olympics (@7olympics) July 30, 2021
JESS FOX HAS DONE IT!
It's GOLD in the C1 final!@Optus | #Optus5G | #itstartswithyes #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/eqVA7mgUEz— 7Olympics (@7olympics) July 29, 2021
Track and Field Events Features Hugging, Tripping, Falling, and Sportsmanship
THE best question ever asked…”can we have 2 Golds?”
Wonderful #Olympics moment in the #HighJump That was #Amazing #Olympics2021 #Olympics2020 #Sportsmanship #GOLD @BBCOlympics pic.twitter.com/lmEJbmrSMZ— Nigel T Best (@nigeltbest) August 1, 2021
2 high-jump athletes from Italy and Qatar chose to share the Gold rather than compete at a "jump-off."
Mutaz Essa Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi have been at events together for over 10 years and helped each other through injuries: "We work together. This is a dream come true." pic.twitter.com/RIinbIjeEZ— AJ+ (@ajplus) August 2, 2021
Nijel Amos and @Isaiahjewett fall with less than 200 meters remaining in the final heat of the men’s 800m semifinal. Looks like Jewett was clipped from behind.
They got back up and jogged to the finish line together.#TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/jL8e2RRjyB— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) August 1, 2021
Plenty of love for James Chiengjiek of @RefugeesOlympic after showing true Olympic spirit at #Tokyo2020
After suffering an unfortunate early fall, the 800m runner got up and made it to the finish. 👏#Athletics #EOR #StrongerTogetherhttps://t.co/N7WxwHpUJn— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) July 31, 2021
United States Women's National Soccer Team Loses Out on a Gold Medal Encore
BREAKING: U.S. women's national soccer team loses to Canada in Tokyo Olympics semifinal https://t.co/TjzKRKzW6g
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 2, 2021
"There's still a medal on the line" - @mPinoe
Say it with us: ALL MEDALS ARE GOOD MEDALS 🥇 🥈 🥉#TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/fHEFm9xYaw— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) August 2, 2021
Heartbreaking but hard-fought. Good luck to Canada in the final. pic.twitter.com/Er92S6M6cF
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) August 2, 2021
Heartbreaking.
We love you @USWNT.
Well done Canada.
Damn.— Glennon Doyle (@GlennonDoyle) August 2, 2021
Raven Saunders Makes a Political Demonstration on the Podium
Raven Saunders, a U.S. shot putter, gave the first political demonstration on the podium at #Tokyo2020 when she crossed her arms to make an X.
The IOC and the U.S. Olympic Committee, which have conflicting free speech rules, are negotiating a response. https://t.co/fVgF0PbAEB— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 2, 2021
Raven Saunders delivered a powerful message after winning silver in the shot put on Sunday. https://t.co/E7YBPHnZRu@GiveMe1Shot pic.twitter.com/fIE1rEb6Sd
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 1, 2021
This is how you celebrate your win in Tokyo!! Ayeeee!!!!
Congratulations #RavenSaunders on your 🥈 medal in shot put! 👏🏽👏🏽
Kudos to your hometown Charleston, SC and your alma mater, Ole Miss!! 👌👌
Her words 'keep pushing'!!! 🤜🏽🤛🏽
Thank You Raven!!! 🙏#TeamUSA #Olympics pic.twitter.com/N8kUaWsICu— Dietra Miles (@DietraMiles) August 1, 2021
Raven Saunders is awesome 💪
Her 19.79m throw here has her lined up for #silver with one round left #USA pic.twitter.com/FJWgVh5aH3— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) August 1, 2021
Simone Biles Returning to Action—and Winning a Bronze Medal—is the Best News We've Heard All Olympics
Simone Biles will compete in Tuesday's women's balance beam final, USA Gymnastics announced.
Biles will be joined by teammate Suni Lee. pic.twitter.com/6M8kBoXQLS— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 2, 2021
We are so excited to confirm that you will see two U.S. athletes in the balance beam final tomorrow - Suni Lee AND Simone Biles!! Can’t wait to watch you both!
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) August 2, 2021
Simone Biles is BACK. #TokyoOlympics x @TeamUSA https://t.co/FkdmN57U1Y
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 2, 2021
Even if Simone Biles decides to compete beam finals and only does a cartwheel, and I will be screaming in joy! Support her in any and all decisions.
— Poor Lawyer (@poorlawyer) August 1, 2021
Beaming Biles 🤩@TeamUSA's @Simone_Biles RETURNS to competition and wins bronze on balance beam at the #TokyoOlympics! pic.twitter.com/CYZiTC8zcW
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2021
Making history. Always. @Simone_Biles ties the record for the most Olympic medals won by a U.S. gymnast. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/4lXZ6waUeQ
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 3, 2021
Simone Biles does a double pike dismount, which she hasn’t done in approximately 9 years! What a wonderful performance! pic.twitter.com/r1y7ceKyhG
— Poor Lawyer (@poorlawyer) August 3, 2021
Congratulations @Simone_Biles for winning 7th historic Olympic medal.
“This definitely feels sweeter than Rio’s bronze medal on beam because I did a good beam routine,” she said.
https://t.co/EdUw7dZUJZ— Karine Jean-Pierre (@K_JeanPierre) August 3, 2021
Tom Daley Catches Up on His Knitting
Oh this? Just Olympic champ @TomDaley1994 knitting in the stands while watching the diving. 🧶 pic.twitter.com/o17i6vsG2j
— Olympics (@Olympics) August 1, 2021
not tom daley knitting at the olympics i- pic.twitter.com/E70zamUhvk
— sarah (@livrodcloset) August 1, 2021
Tom Daley is knitting at the 3m women final #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/cyR5rGRRxE
— Dal Bologknees 🍝 (@DalBologknees) August 1, 2021
important tom daley knitting update: he was making a dog jumper and it is finished pic.twitter.com/9bdr31mmdc
— jess (@theonlyjessxo) August 2, 2021
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