Paris Olympics shatter records, create viral sports moments
5:02 PM EDT, August 2, 2024
The Paris Olympics is an event that draws the attention of the entire world. Millions of people worldwide watch the athletes compete, and as they fight for Olympic medals, they also win the hearts of fans. Medalists can also count on significant rewards.
Just two days were enough for the Paris Olympics to surpass the previous ones—in Tokyo—in terms of viewership, announced Warner Bros. Discovery, the official broadcaster of the event.
The broadcaster added that in terms of viewed minutes in Europe, the event in Paris had already reached 75% of the total viewership of the previous Olympics after just two days.
Alongside well-known sports stars, new heroes have emerged who, thanks to their performances, have already become the heroes of these games, winning the hearts of the fans.
Fans fell in love with the Korean athlete for that look
During the final of the women’s 33-foot air pistol shooting event at the Paris Olympics, two Koreans—Oh Ye Jin and Kim Yeji—won gold and silver medals. Kim Yeji became a fan favorite and a star, all thanks to a recording from the World Championships in Baku that is circulating online.
Kim won a gold medal there. The Korean made an impression on viewers when the camera showed her during the shooting action. Her gaze caught everyone’s attention. Internet commenters speculated that she would be perfect as an action movie heroine.
“Clark Kent” won a medal for the USA after 16 years
Stephen Nedoroscik became a hero in our country. Thanks to him, the USA won a bronze medal, the first in gymnastics in 16 years. He became a new TikTok star. What endeared him to the fans?
“Like comic book Clark Kent, in a few seconds, he transforms from a sleepy bookworm into a king of the pommel horse,” writes the portal elle.pl.
Adding that the athlete has strabismus, which means his eyes are not aligned. He usually wears glasses, which he takes off before performing.
A video showing the athlete calmly waiting for his turn and then fighting for the medal in a sensational manner became an internet hit.
Won a medal with one hand in his pocket
Fifty-one-year-old Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, along with his partner Sevval Ilyady, won a silver medal in the team event of the 33-foot air pistol shooting competition.
Fans went wild over him because of how he won the Olympic medal.
He ditched the goggles and headphones. He held the air pistol in one hand, while the other was in his pants pocket. A photo of the 51-year-old quickly went viral and became a hit on social media.
“His relaxed, unique stance” is just one of many comments that appeared on the internet about the athlete.
Hong Kong is the most generous
“Forbes” reports that 33 out of 206 countries and territories participating in the Olympics offer cash prizes for gold medals. Among them, fifteen pay their athletes over $100,000 for gold.
Interestingly, Hong Kong is the most generous country. Athletes who win a gold medal can get $786,000. Israel is second with $275,000, and Serbia ranks the top three with $218,000.
In the “Forbes” ranking, the United States is far from the top. Americans who win a gold medal can expect a bonus of $37,500.
The best Polish athletes who win medals in Paris can not only expect significant cash rewards but also various bonuses such as an apartment.
