As the Paris Olympics entered the home straight, week two saw plenty more sporting heroics. From Keely Hodgkinson winning Britain’s first athletics gold, to the nation roaring on all-rounder Katarina Johnson-Thompson (her bio on X: “Chronically indecisive so I’ve adopted two surnames and the heptathlon”). Amid all the headline-making action, though, eagle-eyed viewers found plenty of TV moments to enjoy which weren’t based around sporting success. Be they photobombing whales or dancing presenters, here are the finest.
Vaulter beaten by own pole
This pole vaulter knocked the bar down. Look closely to see how. 🤣
— Michael J. Stern (@MichaelJStern1) August 3, 2024
He's blessed, and cursed...all in a single package. 🫢pic.twitter.com/qccYccNVbu
Quelle ironie. French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati exited at the qualifying round – and all because he was well endowed. The 21-year-old cleared the 5.7-metre bar – only for a sizeable bulge in his Spandex suit to nudge it on the way down, and knock it off. But although Ammirati might have been stymied by his own crotch, his Instagram following increased 20-fold in two days. Ooh la la indeed.
Whale gatecrashes the surfing
An unexpected star of the show at the surfing!
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 6, 2024
This whale has certainly made a splash 📸#Paris2024 #Olympics #BBCOlympics pic.twitter.com/epl6IfmJUz
The show was stolen by a surprise interloper during the surfing semi-final in Tahiti. As Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb and Costa Rica’s Brisa Hennessy competed, spectators’ eyes were instead drawn to a breaching whale behind them, launching itself into the air. Talk about making a splash. Any way we can award the huge marine mammal a medal for photobombing?
Clare Balding raves on
Someone sign her up for Strictly. Social media lit up when BBC anchorwoman Clare Balding was spotted doing a spot of chair-dancing to the swimming arena DJ. Balding seems to be a surprise fan of 90s dance anthem Freed From Desire by Gala. Her infectious shape-throwing even persuaded pundit Rebecca Adlington to join in.
He shoots, he scores
Mondo Duplantis hitting the Yusuf Dikec pose after breaking an Olympic pole vault record and winning gold. +50000 aura#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/cpsgDP1GP3
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2024
He resembles a cross between Timothée Chalamet and Carmy from The Bear, and Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis isn’t too shabby at his sport either. After clinching his second successive gold medal and setting a new world record of 6.25 metres, “Mondo” celebrated by mimicking another Olympic cult hero: Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikeç, who went viral for his laid-back hand-in-pocket stance.
That’s got to hurt
A hard fall for Croatian gymnast Tin Srbic 😲
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 5, 2024
He got right back up though 💪#Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/RFbCa2fdcJ
Oof. Olympic gymnasts are so strong and skilful, it’s easy to forget they’re mere mortals. A reminder came when Croatia’s Tin Srbić – a former world champion, no less – missed his grip on the horizontal bar and smacked face-down to the floor. Srbić got straight back up but it was a mishap-strewn session, with five out of eight finalists suffering falls. “I don’t believe what we’re seeing!” cried BBC commentator Craig Heap.
Crooning Kellie’s heroes
After the cheering stopped. Kellie Harrington, double Olympic champion pic.twitter.com/mXjIt4IR6V
— Chris (@chrisdotlatchem) August 6, 2024
After winning her back-to-back Olympic golds – making these Games the most successful in Ireland’s history – beloved Dublin boxer Kellie Harrington announced her retirement in style. Medal around her neck, the 34-year-old sang a fond farewell at ringside, serenading fans with a heartfelt rendition of Grace by trad Irish band The Wolfe Tones. She signed off with her catchphrase (“Let me say it again: Bob’s your uncle, Fanny’s your auntie, goodnight Irene”) before the party went on well into the Parisian night.
Yes Miss, sorry Miss
Your teacher on a school trip:#BBCOlympics #Olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/VruShx8dta
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 5, 2024
A formidably organised Olympic official was caught on camera, laying down the law to female pole vaulters. Finger held aloft, she sternly informed them: “Now, you all need to check the call room schedule time for the final, all right? Please check the updated timetable for your event. I don’t want you to miss it.” She was widely compared to a teacher on a school trip. Don’t forget your cagoule and be back on the coach by 3pm, no later.
Maryam Moshiri busts a move
Olympic sport 'Breaking' debuts in Paris tomorrow..But what exactly is Breaking?
— Maryam Moshiri (@BBCMaryam) August 8, 2024
Well I took the time to improve my 'Olympic-level' breaking skills with Zay...a breaker from Brazil...Outside the Grand Palais.🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/6CralN6gCT
It brought a whole new meaning to “Breaking news”. Newsreader Maryam Moshiri reported on breakdancing’s Olympic debut by taking a lesson from Brazilian B-boy Zay. Demonstrating the basic cross-body step, he told Moshiri her hands could do whatever they want. “Don’t tell me that,” she quipped. “I have previous with my hands.”
Wrestler’s retirement smackdown
We didn't see that coming 😅
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 6, 2024
Cuban wrestler Mijain Lopez sprung a surprise celebration on his coach after winning a FIFTH consecutive Olympic gold 🤯#Paris2024 #Olympics #BBCOlympics pic.twitter.com/0zvJahKAaa
Cuban wrestler Mijaín López sprung a surprise celebration on his coaching team when he won an unprecedented fifth consecutive Greco-Roman gold. The 41-year-old gentle giant, nicknamed El Terrible, picked up his weeping coach and slammed him lovingly into the mat one last time. He then unlaced his boots, kissed them and left them in the ring to symbolise his retirement.
The ups and downs of sport
My favorite video of the Olympics so far is the cameraman for the trampoline gymnastics pic.twitter.com/SNoad1PMrm
— gaut (@0xgaut) August 1, 2024
There might be more high-profile Olympic events to capture on film but few demand a technique this insouciant. One camera operator at the trampolining went viral for casually waggling his equipment in rhythm with the bouncing gymnasts. Presumably he switched to sideways waggling to cover the tennis.
Skater goes for the juggler
Do you get extra points for juggling in the skateboarding? 🔥
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 7, 2024
Brazil's Augusto Akio celebrated his bronze medal-winning performance in style 👏#Paris2024 #Olympics #BBCOlympics pic.twitter.com/NqcNhY2WBJ
Is there no end to his talents? Brazilian skateboarder Augusto Akio followed each run by grabbing his colour-coordinated clubs and treating crowds to a bonus display of juggling, often with his skateboard held between his teeth. Akio took up the circus skill when injured and says it helps him stay relaxed. It clearly works. The 23-year-old clinched a bronze medal, cheered on by rapper Snoop Dogg and the sport’s deity, Tony Hawk.
Sprint king rates Tom Daley’s knitting
Noah Lyles is a huge fan of Tom Daley's knitting 🤝
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 8, 2024
How about a cardigan for Noah, @TomDaley1994? 😆#Paris2024 #bbcolympics #Olympics pic.twitter.com/4D3qTgmiPn
USA’s 100m champion Noah Lyles turns out to be a surprise aficionado when it comes to wool. Shown pictures of Tom Daley’s knits, Lyles expressed admiration for the GB diver’s multicoloured designs and neat lines, having learned to appreciate needlework from his crochet-loving sister. Lyles added that he wouldn’t mind a Daley-created cardigan himself. You know what to do, Tom.
