As Tokyo 2020 comes to an end, we look back at some of the internet’s favourite moments from the games…
Well, that was a whole lot of fun wasn’t it. There were fears that the Olympics would lose their spark with the looming presence of Covid-19 in Japan and the lack of fans at events. But it’s safe to say that once the action got underway, the athletes provided us with a reminder that this was still the greatest stage in sport, and they wanted to perform on it.
Others will look back at the greatest performances and achievements from Tokyo. But here we’re highlighting the more light-hearted moments, the ones that warmed our hearts, made us chuckle, and reaffirmed that there is a lot of happiness in the world still.
So let’s recap some of the best viral moments from this summer’s games.
This Aussie swimming coach’s passionate celebration
The first proper viral moment of these games, Dean Boxall will be forever remembered for his wild celebration.
https://twitter.com/7olympics/status/1419487919665041408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1419487919665041408%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fsport%2Faustralian-swimming-coach-ariarne-titmus-gold-celebration-282084
Titmus’ coach Dean Boxall looked like every living room across the country. What a moment. pic.twitter.com/j7z9a3nRuQ
— Tyson Whelan (@tyson_whelan) July 26, 2021
He then repeated the feat just a couple of days later…
Tom Daley casually knitting at the diving
Was there anything more wholesome this summer than Tom Daley’s knitting poolside?
Urgent update: Knitting action is back underway at the Aquatics Centre. This time it is a @TeamGB jumper! 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/tJlueScIp1
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 2, 2021
The finished product looks pretty incredible as well.
Clare Balding complimenting a swimmer on his ‘third leg’
Surely the funniest moment of the Olympics, this unintentional innuendo was almost too much for swimmers Tom Dean and Matthew Richards to deal with.
She’s talking about the third leg of the relay of course.
ICYMI – Clare Balding quizzing swimmers about their third leg https://t.co/BQAgfZgIrL
— Ollie Samuels (@OllieSamuels) July 29, 2021
The frosty reaction from the Jamaican sprinters to their teammates win
The women’s 100m final was set to be one of the must-watch moments of the games. Even without British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, the field was still star-studded.
But as Elaine Thompson Herah claimed the gold, the muted congratulations of her Jamaican teammates didn’t go unnoticed.
They don’t even try to look happy for her….
https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1421455524739092485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1421455524739092485%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fjamaica-frosty-reaction-1-2-3-282883
This amazing interview from New Zealand sevens player Rubes Tui
The Olympics is brilliant because it introduces us to characters from across the world, with so many often just excited to be at a games and trying to enjoy every minute.
New Zealand’s Rubes Tui arguably provided the best interview of the whole Olympics with her joyful and cheeky chat to Jill Douglas…
What an interview!
Love this from NZ 7s @rubytui 🏉
Beautifully done @JillADouglas pic.twitter.com/WpgR492Fe2
— Jo Currie (@JoCurrie) July 30, 2021
Two golds in the high jump
Perhaps the Olympic spirit and what it means to athletes was never showcased more than when Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi decided to both take golds in the men’s high jump.
They had finished tied for first, and then couldn’t be split in the sudden death jump-off. When Barshim asked whether they could simply call it there and agree to share the title, the duo jumped at the chance (pardon the pun) to both achieve their dream of a gold. And just look at what it means to them…
Just look at these reactions!
Both Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi took gold medals in the men's high jump
A true moment of sportsmanship 👏👏#bbcolympics #Tokyo2020
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 1, 2021
Powerful gestures
Finally, a couple of moments that may have passed you by, but should not go unnoted.
First, Costa Rican gymnast Luciana Alvarado who finished her floor routine with a tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Comparto también la pantalla completa de la rutina de suelo de Luciana Alvarado 🥰 #CRC #ArtisticGymnastics #Tokyo2020 #JuegosOlimpicos #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/1wbXVHPoVh
— Mari (@very_berry99) July 25, 2021
And then shot putter Raven Saunders, who made an ‘x’ gesture on the podium despite a ban on such actions being allowed. This was investigated by the IOC.
The IOC paused its investigation of Raven Saunders, after the death of her mother.
Saunders made an “X” on the podium, representing “the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet.“” The #Olympics ban protests and other such freedom of expression on the podium. pic.twitter.com/cOWUGg7x3o
— AJ+ (@ajplus) August 4, 2021
Thank you to all involved in this games for providing us with an amazing spectacle of sport and human spirit. Let’s do it all again at Paris 2024.
Related links:
Costa Rican gymnast ends Olympics floor routine by taking the knee
Why Piers Morgan is so wrong about bronze – regards, Team GB!
Galal Yafai enjoys touching moment with brother after winning gold for Team GB
