The 8 Most Viral Moments from the 2024 Paris Olympics

Au revoir, Paris—the anticipated 2024 Olympics has finally come to a close, and while the athletes leave decorated and Snoop and Martha trade their equestrian gear for everyday garb, the cultural impact of the games is far from over. This year’s Olympics was the most-talked-about yet, thanks to viral moments and medal-winning icons that took the internet by storm.

As creators turned commentators and Olympians took to social media to celebrate their victories, the digital impact of this year’s games was bigger than ever. Moments quickly became memes, capturing the attention and humor of the public. The games also ignited viral trends, with people attempting Olympic routines at home and sharing nostalgic throwbacks of their own sports endeavors where they joked “sad to report I was not selected for the Olympic team.” This blend of athleticism and engagement created a unique and dynamic online experience, bringing the spirit of the Olympics onto screens, big and small.

However, between the countless memes, moments, and medal winners, there were eight that stood out amongst the rest. Here are the most viral Olympics moments that won internet gold.

A Memorable Opening Ceremony 

The 2024 Paris Olympics kicked off with a bang, serving up an Opening Ceremony that was unforgettable in more ways than one. A masked “Assassin’s Creed” torchbearer ziplined across Paris rooftops, a headless Marie Antoinette made an appearance, and Celine Dion returned to the stage for an epic comeback. But it didn’t stop there—viewers were also treated to a drag queen performance channeling The Last Supper and, yes, a woman completely decked out in croissants. From jaw-dropping to downright bizarre, it’s safe to say the Opening Ceremony certainly delivered.

Pommel Horse Guy

Stephen Nedoroscik, famously dubbed “Pommel Horse Guy,” became an internet sensation not just for his gymnastic prowess but for his relatability during the men’s team final. With his event as the last rotation, he waited for hours and was caught falling asleep meditating—a moment that quickly turned into a viral meme. When his turn finally came, Stephen calmly stood, hung his glasses on the chalk bowl as if he were Clark Kent turning into Superman, and delivered a near-flawless routine, clinching the bronze medal for Team USA and breaking their 16-year medal drought.

Team USA Gymnasts Take TikTok

In true Gen Z and millennial fashion, TikTok is a top priority—even for Olympic gold medalists. After crushing it in the team competition, the U.S. women’s gymnastics squad didn’t just celebrate their victory—they immediately started brainstorming their next TikToks. Moments after securing the gold, Simone Biles and Suni Lee were caught on camera excitedly planning their posts, discussing filming the “chomping one” and the “imagine if we didn’t win” clip. Within the hour, the videos were live, winning the world over once again.

Bowing Down to Rebeca Andrade

TikTok talk wasn’t the only viral moment from Olympic gymnastics. The first all-Black podium for the Individual Floor routine featuring Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, and Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade made waves, with Simone and Jordan bowing down to gold-medalist Rebeca in a moment that quickly went viral. But things took a heartbreaking turn days later when Jordan was ordered to return her bronze medal after a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. USA Gymnastics is currently fighting to get her medal reinstated, but no matter what happens, this moment will live forever and this iconic trio deserves all the applause.

The Rise of Ilona Maher

Whether or not you’ve been tuning into the 2024 Olympics, chances are you’ve caught wind of female rugby player turned social media sensation, Ilona Maher. Ilona first found fame during the Tokyo Olympics with her honest, beyond hilarious vlogs. Fast forward to the Paris games, and her influence has skyrocketed—she now boasts over 2.3 million TikTok followers and another 3.6 million on Instagram. Her posts from Paris, whether comparing the Olympic Village to the “Love Island” villa, meeting Snoop Dogg, or convincing Jason Kelce to back women’s rugby, have racked up millions of views. But it’s not just about the laughs—Maher also uses her platform to promote body positivity, encouraging fans to celebrate diverse body types both on and off the field.

Raygun, the Australian Breakdancing “Sensation”

Breakdancing’s Olympic debut was buzz-worthy on its own, but Australian B-girl Rachael Gunn aka Raygun, took it to a whole new level. Her performance wasn’t just a dance—it was pure internet gold. Her interesting moves (or lack thereof) quickly flooded social media, with trends and memes inspired by her routine. Raygun might not have been the most technically skilled, having earned literally zero points for her performance, but she stole the spotlight nonetheless. Thanks to her, breaking became one of the most talked-about sports of the Olympics, proving that going viral can be just as much fun as winning gold.

The Adventures of Snoop Dogg

As one of NBC’s official commentators, Snoop Dogg turned the 2024 Paris Olympics into his personal playground, delivering viral moments left and right. From crip walking with the Olympic Torch to vibing in the stands with Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, Snoop’s been the life of the games. He even faced his fear of horses with the help of his long-time BFF Martha Stewart, hanging out with the dressage stars in full equestrian gear. And let’s not forget his epic swimming lesson with Michael Phelps, where Snoop joked, “We could be twins,” before showing off his own stroke attempts. Snoop’s Olympic quest has been pure gold, and it’s safe to say we’ll be seeing more of him in LA in 2028.

Tom Cruise Passes the Torch

The 2024 Olympics wrapped up with a show-stopping finale, passing the torch to Los Angeles in true Hollywood fashion. Stunt King Tom Cruise rappelled down from the top of the Stade de France, greeting Olympians before joining the GOAT, Simone Biles, for the flag handoff. In a pre-filmed stunt, he then took off on a motorcycle, skydived over LA, and ended up at the Hollywood sign, where he revealed Olympic rings to kick off the journey to LA 2028. Because really, what’s more Hollywood than Tom Cruise?

It’s safe to say that the 2024 Paris Olympics gave us viral moments that will live on in memes and TikToks for years to come. And with LA 2028 on the horizon, we’re already excited to see what internet-breaking moments the next Olympics will bring.