Paris Olympics 2024: From shooter Yusuf Dikeç to fencer Nada Hafez competing while pregnant, iconic moments at Summer Games

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games concluded with a dazzling closing ceremony at the Stade de France, marking the transition to Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Olympics. This year's Games featured 329 events across 32 sports and 48 disciplines, with participation from 206 National Olympic Committees and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team (EOR). 

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As the Summer Games wrap up, let's revisit some of the standout moments and athletes who captured the spotlight, becoming memes and superstars overnight.

Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec:

The shooter who earned a silver medal in the 10m air pistol event at the Paris 2024 Olympics became a viral sensation for his "gearless" look. Dikeç, a four-time Olympian with appearances in 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020, began competitive shooting in 2001 after joining the Gendarmerie General Command as a non-commissioned officer. Following his viral moment, other medal-winning athletes began imitating his distinctive shooting style.

Bob the Cap catcher:

During the women's 100-meter breaststroke preliminary race on July 28, Team USA's Emma Weber lost her swim cap. Although she likely had a second cap on hand, a man in a bright floral Speedo boldly stepped onto the pool deck to help. After a brief pause in the competition, the man identified as a lifeguard, dove to the bottom of the nearly 10-foot pool, retrieved the cap and surfaced quickly. This spontaneous act, which earned him the nickname "Bob the Cap Catcher," has won the hearts of fans.

North and South Korea selfies:

At the podium ceremony for the mixed doubles Table Tennis event, China secured the gold medal, North Korea won silver, and South Korea earned bronze. In a memorable moment following the tradition of taking selfies at the Paris Olympics, athletes from North and South Korea posed together for a photo, capturing the attention and admiration of many.

Pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati:

On August 3, Anthony Ammirati went viral after it seemed his jump was affected when his crotch clipped the crossbar during his pole vault heat. Although this mishap may have hurt his chances of winning an Olympic medal, he received an unexpected offer from an adult website, which proposed $250,000 for content featuring him for under 60 minutes.

Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina:

AFP photographer Jerome Brouillet captured a stunning shot during the fifth heat of the day when Brazilian three-time world champion Gabriel Medina rode a massive wave. Positioned on a boat alongside the action, Brouillet patiently waited for Medina to emerge from the wave, ultimately snapping the now-viral photo.

Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez:

Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez shared that she was competing while seven months pregnant. She even referred to her baby as her "little Olympian." The 26-year-old made this remarkable announcement on her Instagram page, proudly declaring: "7 MONTHS PREGNANT OLYMPIAN!"

Chinese gymnast's reaction:

After winning a silver medal in the women's gymnastics balance beam final on August 5, 18-year-old first-time Olympian Zhou Yaqin went viral for her charming reaction to the cameras. While Alice D'Amato, and Manila Esposito, followed the tradition of taking bites of their new medals, Zhou, clearly taken aback by the custom, attempted to follow suit but ended up playfully miming the gesture without actually biting the medal.

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