Summer Olympics: Top 7 Viral Moments From Past Games

While some athletes leave the Olympics with a medal, others head home from the Games with a different kind of prominence: Internet fame.

Among the Olympians to strike social media gold are Pita Nikolas Taufatofua, the taekwondo competitor and flag bearer from Tonga who's caught viewers’ attention with his oiled-up physique during three opening ceremonies.

Other sports stars have gone viral by letting viewers know exactly how they were feeling. Like when U.S. gymnast McKayla Maroney, uh, impressively spurred countless memes with her unimpressed expression during her silver medal win at the 2012 London Olympics. Or when American swimmer Michael Phelps caused a splash with his game-day face before the 200-meter butterfly semifinal at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

There were also unforgettable moments that served as a reminder that things don’t always go according to game plan. Take, for instance, when a squirrel darted across the slopes during the Women's Parallel Giant Slalom event at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. Or when there was a bit of a blunder during the Opening Ceremony for the 2014 Games in Sochi, in which an electronic snowflake that was supposed to expand into an Olympic ring froze up and didn’t work as expected.

photosThe Most Memorable Moments in Olympics History

Fans will have to wait until the 2024 Paris Olympics to see which moments take the podium for most-talked-about event this year. Luckily, they won’t have to hold out for too much longer. 

The Olympics will run from July 26 to Aug. 11 followed by the Paralympic Games from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.

For now, keep reading to see more viral Olympic moments from over the years.

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