There is no denying that social media in recent years has become fully integrated into all aspects of life, and sports is no exception. Many athletes have taken to social media as a way of raising awareness of their sport and highlighting their achievements. However, the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France saw an unexpected rise in popularity of many social media stars¹. Here are some of the athletes who received worldwide acclaim and attention for their unique approaches to online content.

Simone Biles and Sunisa “Suni” Lee:

Simone Biles and Suni Lee were already well-known names before they stepped onto the mat at the most recent Olympic games, but the Team USA gymnasts both saw significant growth on their respective TikTok accounts throughout their time in Paris². Their biggest social media buzz came moments after a video was shared showing the pair discussing what TikTok audio they would use to celebrate their achievement³. It was a moment of authentic joy and sportsmanship between two teammates. The final video posted to Biles’ TikTok has just over 15 million likes, and shows Biles, Lee and two of their fellow teammates pretending to bite on their gold medals, with the caption “TASTE GOLDEN”⁴. Many other athletes who won medals also followed this trend, such as British skateboarder Sky Brown with her bronze medal⁵. The virality of Biles and Lee’s posts show how even Olympians can follow popular TikTok trends.

Tom Daley:

Following the trend of established athletes finding success on social media, British diver Tom Daley found TikTok fame for his fun personality and comedic videos about everyday life at the Olympics. The now retired five-time Olympic medalist was already renowned for his diving achievements, but social media users were most intrigued by his love of knitting⁶. Daley’s video displaying his most recent knitting project, a Paris Olympics-themed sweater, currently has over 5 million views on TikTok⁷. There is a distinct authenticity to Daley’s social media presence that feels very endearing, reminding online fans that Olympians are just as normal as they are and have their own hobbies.

Henrik Christiansen:

One of the most unexpected success stories of this year’s Olympics was that of Henrik Christiansen. The Norwegian swimmer became a hit on TikTok not for his athletic performance, but for his review of the triple chocolate muffins served at the Olympic Village⁸. Christiansen was unrelenting in his love for the muffins, and his multiple posts throughout the games earned him the title of the “Olympics Muffin Man.” One of his most popular muffin videos has over 20 million views on TikTok, which like other viral Olympics videos features Christiansen lip-syncing to a popular TikTok audio with fellow Norwegian swimmer Nicholas Lia⁹. Christiansen’s rise to fame is certainly unconventional, but he has firmly established his unique personal identity amongst other Olympic athletes and has opened doors for himself in the social media world.

Ilona Maher:

Arguably the biggest breakout star of the 2024 Olympics was Ilona Maher.¹⁰ The American rugby player took over TikTok and posted fun and trendy content throughout her time at the Olympics with millions of views and likes. However, social media users were most drawn to Maher for her authentic posts about mental health and body image. One of her most notable videos was a heartfelt statement to her audience, reminding them that “All body types can be Olympians” ¹¹. By celebrating her own body and uplifting other Olympians, Maher promoted a culture of positivity and self-love to her followers and established herself as an Olympic icon. Her online fame has led her to pursue other opportunities, as she is currently competing on the U.S. TV show, Dancing with the Stars¹².

This Olympics has proven that there is no one right way to become a social media celebrity, and that an online following can lead to real-world opportunities. However, it is important to remember that these athletes deserve to be recognized for their incredible talent and hard work in their sport beyond posting videos and pictures online. This most recent Olympic games has shown that social media will likely continue to play a significant role in the world of sport, and all athletes should be taking advantage of the opportunities that social media presents.