Meet The Main Characters of the Paris Olympics
What’s better than cheering on over two hundred countries competing in increasingly obscure sports on a world stage? Making these specific and increasingly unique athletes stars in their own right, of course. In addition to competing on the field (mat, pitch, range, whatever) some athletes participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics have become internet main characters of the day for their stellar performances.
Here’s an introduction to some athletes who will probably be dominating your thoughts — and timelines — for the foreseeable future.
Ilona Maher – Rugby
Ilona Maher of United States is chased by Sakura Mizutani of Team Japan
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Ilona Maher first became an online sensation during her Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games, which she spent sharing behind-the-scenes looks at the Olympic Village to her skyrocketing follower count on TikTok. She entered the 2024 Paris Games as an established influencer online with 2 million followers but quickly re-cemented her status as an internet queen with humorous videos — like meeting CoCo Gauff, Simone Biles, and Snoop Dogg, modeling the divisive Team USA uniforms, and strongly shutting down haters who comment on her body and size. Underneath Maher’s humor is a platform that highlights pride and acceptance in oneself — beliefs that she’s continued to promote to her viewers. And nothing says I’m not afraid to be strong and tough like stiff-arming your way to a bronze medal.
While in Paris, Maher even convinced former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce to become the celeb sponsor of the U.S Rugby team, taking after rapper Flavor Flav‘s sponsorship of the U.S. women’s Water Polo team. Kelce even got to wear with his very own personalized Maher button-up. Long live Maher, an American treasure.
Stephen Nedoroscik – Artistic Gymnastics
Stephen Nedoroscik of Team United States competes on the pommel horse
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Beyond the Clark Kent-esque aesthetics of Stephen Nedoroscik is a pommel horse expert, one whose showing at the Men’s Gymnastics final clinched the United States men’s artistic gymnastics team bronze — their first medal in almost 16 years. Nedoroscik first captured eyes and hearts during the final when cameras caught him preparing for his event by leaning back and closing his eyes. Was he sleeping? Nope, he later told Today he was doing “breathing exercises” and visualizing his routine in his head. But the look, and Nedoroscik’s perfect ending performance, turned the gymnast into a meme at record speed.
If dominating on the pommel horse wasn’t enough, Nedoroscik can also solve a Rubik’s Cube incredibly fast — under 30 seconds — a skill he’s more than happy to share with anyone who asks. He does have a girlfriend though, former Penn State gymnast Tess McCracken (or Mrs. Pommel Horse, as she refers to herself on X), so don’t go too crazy.
Kim Yeji — Air Pistol
Kim Yeji of Team Republic of Korea shoots during the Women’s 10m Air Pistol Final
Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
The only word I can think of to describe South Korean sharpshooter Kim Yeji is sickening. And I’m not the only one who thinks so. It took less than 40 seconds for Kim to make the shot that got her silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics. But her shooting pose, complete with special sharpshooter spectacles, a cocked hip, and her daughter’s toy elephant quickly cemented her status as a legendary performer. There have been thirst tweets, lesbian adoration, fan edits, and drawings comparing Kim to some of the strongest anime characters of all time.
Not to be outshone, her Turkish counterpart Yusuf Dikeç was also praised for his air pistol form, including his lack of specialized gear.
Giorgia Villa — Gymnastics
Giorgia Villa of Team Italy competes on the uneven bars
Tom Weller/VOIGT/Getty Images
Italian gymnast Giorgia Villa put on a valiant showing at the Women’s Team Final, helping to win Italy a silver medal at the event. But online, her claim to fame came after she left the gym when X (formerly Twitter) users found out that her main sponsor is… cheese! Parmigiano reggiano, to be exact.
The Italian gymnast might have taken home silver on the world stage, but her support of her round sponsor gives her gold in our hearts!
Flavia Saraiva — Gymnastics
Flavia Saraiva of Team Brazil competes on the uneven bars
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
When Flavia Saraiva was practicing her routine on the parallel bars, a single misstep ended with her crumpled to the ground, a deep wound on the side of her face. But rather than let the injury deter her, the Brazilian gymnast quickly got patched up and then competed with a gnarly-looking bandaged eyebrow and black eye — cementing her badass status online.
Brazil took home bronze, the country’s first-ever team gymnastics medal. I’m not saying Saraiva’s bandaid helped, but facing off competitors with a fierce look certainly didn’t hurt.
Missed these Olympians making their mark online? Don’t worry. There are two more weeks before the official Olympic closing ceremonies on Aug. 11, which means plenty of more time, and events, for more athletes to become internet stars.
