Viral Moments, Memes, and Everything ‘Instagramable’!
The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, have officially come to an end, and ended with a spectacular light show, fireworks, and the ceremonial passing of the Olympic flag to the next host city, Los Angeles, USA. The handover was made memorable by none other than action star Tom Cruise, who dramatically descended from a cable at Stade de France to receive the flag, before heading back to his home country to mark the start of preparations for the next Olympics in four years.
This year’s Olympics were undeniably thrilling, full of unexpected twists, drama, and countless moments that kept us glued to our screens. It’s impossible not to wonder what the 2028 Games in Los Angeles will bring.
But if we pay attention to the details and trends that emerged during this year’s event, we might already have a glimpse of what’s to come.
Traditionally, the Olympics have always centered around the sports, the competition results, and the battle for the top spot in the medal standings. However, the Paris Olympics have clearly shown a shift in focus from previous games, reflecting the influence of a new generation.
This time around, there was a noticeable emphasis on the ‘personal’ moments of each athlete, with these moments quickly going viral on social media.
From the Turkish silver medalist in shooting, who gained attention for competing in simple attire while delivering a stellar performance, to the French pole vaulter who missed out on a medal due to an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction, to the Hong Kong athlete who turned his name into a meme-worthy moment as if it was planned, and even the Norwegian athlete who became known as the ‘Muffin Man’ for consistently posting photos on Instagram with a chocolate muffin in hand. These stories, among many others, have taken the internet by storm.
This marks a stark contrast from previous Olympics, where the focus was primarily on the grandeur of the opening ceremonies and the competition results. In the era before social media, such moments would have gone largely unnoticed. But now, if we set aside the relatively subdued Tokyo Olympics, which were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic…
It’s clear that the Paris Olympics have become the ‘Olympics of the New Generation’ in every sense!
It’s not surprising, really, when you consider that many of the athletes competing this year are young people born around the turn of the millennium, most of them aged 19-25.
They are part of ‘Gen Z,’ a generation that has grown up with social media and knows how to navigate it like pros. In today’s world, where social media drives so much of our daily interactions, this shift makes perfect sense.
Even the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics was designed to cater to this new era, with events spread across different parts of the city, creating diverse highlights that were perfect for capturing and sharing on Instagram.
This is a significant departure from past games…
None of this could have happened without the influence of those who truly understand and embrace the modern world. So, it’s only fitting to call this the Olympics of the ‘New Generation.’
With four years to go until the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, it’s too early to predict exactly what they’ll be like or who will win the various competitions. But when it comes to the atmosphere and the way the event will be shared and experienced online, it’s safe to say…
The Olympics have officially entered the era of the new generation.
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