Marriage proposals, gender reveals, and moments of friendship have marked these Games.
Guatemalan Shooting Star Claims Gold
In 2011, gymnast Adriana Ruano faced a serious back injury that dashed her hopes for London 2012. Her doctor suggested she try shooting as an alternative. Twelve years later, Ruano won gold in the women’s trap final with a score of 45 out of 50, making her the first Guatemalan to win an Olympic gold medal.
Ledecky’s Heartwarming Fan Moment
Katie Ledecky won her ninth Olympic gold in the women’s 1500m freestyle final and enjoyed the crowd’s energy. One fan, a girl with red- and blue-streaked braids, was thrilled when Ledecky acknowledged her. The moment went viral, and Ledecky later spoke with the young fan via FaceTime.
Ryan Murphy’s Joyful Gender Reveal
American swimmer Ryan Murphy earned bronze in the men’s 100m backstroke final. However, a special surprise awaited him from his wife, Bridget Konttinen. In the stands, Konttinen revealed their baby’s gender with a sign reading “Ryan, it’s a girl!” Murphy said the news made his night even more memorable.
Huang’s Double Celebration in Paris
Chinese badminton player Huang Yaqiong had an extra reason to celebrate after winning gold in mixed doubles. Her boyfriend, Liu Yuchen, also a badminton player, proposed to her. Huang remarked, “Today I am an Olympic champion and I got proposed to, so that’s something I didn’t expect.”
French Runner’s Unique Proposal
Alice Finot, who set a new European record in the 3,000m steeplechase, used her achievement as an opportunity to propose to her boyfriend. After finishing in 8 minutes 58.67 seconds, Finot surprised her partner with a proposal and a “Love in Paris” pin.
Tamberi and Barshim: A Continued Friendship
Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Barshim, who shared high jump gold in Tokyo, had another touching moment in Paris. Tamberi helped Barshim, who had injured his calf during qualifying, showcasing their strong bond.
He Bingjiao Shows Sportsmanship
Chinese badminton player He Bingjiao showed true sportsmanship by holding a small Spanish flag during her silver medal ceremony. She wanted to honor Spain’s Carolina Marín, who had to withdraw from their semi-final match due to injury.
North and South Korea Share a Podium Selfie
After the table tennis mixed doubles final, North and South Korean athletes put aside their differences to take a podium selfie. South Korea won gold and North Korea earned silver, demonstrating sport’s unifying power.
Phelps Celebrates Marchand’s Victory
Michael Phelps, watching from the commentary booth, celebrated as Léon Marchand broke his 200m individual medley record. Phelps, the most successful Olympian, cheered joyfully as Marchand set a new record by 0.17 seconds.
Ramazanova’s Special Motivation
Azerbaijani archer Yaylagul Ramazanova, competing in her first Olympics while six and a half months pregnant, felt her baby’s kicks before making a crucial shot. She attributed her successful performance to her unborn child’s support.
Yulo’s Grand Rewards
Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo, who won two gold medals, received numerous rewards. Megaworld promised him a two-bedroom apartment, and he was offered 10 million Philippine pesos (£136,600), free ramen, and colonoscopies for life.
Osmanov’s Painful Bronze
Moldovan judo athlete Adil Osmanov won bronze but faced disappointment after celebrating. He fell to the ground and later revealed he had dislocated his shoulder. Osmanov had previously declined surgery before competing.
Zhou Yaqin’s Medal Confusion
Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqin went viral after her confusion over medal-biting. After winning silver in the balance beam final, she mimicked her peers by bringing her medal to her mouth but didn’t actually bite it, thinking it was a necessary part of the ceremony.
