What happens before or after the games? From the infamous cardboard beds to the simp energy for your favorite athletes, skip the TV because TikTok has all the answers.
Training, technique, and tradition aside, there is no denying that part of the gravitational pull of the Olympics rests heavily on the spectacle of it all. Drawn in by equal parts of passion and precision, what really latches us to the broadcast is the entertainment factor that runs the gamut of drama, humor, and obviously, action, among other things. But apart from the geographical loyalties, sport politics, and fostered biases with Olympians-turned-stars, the adrenaline of the summer games are fairly short-lived.
@olympics Please understand. ?? #Olympics #Sustainability #TokyoOlympics #OlympicSpirit
♬ Dville Santa x Laboratory o – ??????
Ending as soon as it begins, there is little to nothing beyond the parameters of the sport, save for the heart-tugging video packages for the early favorites or winners. However, despite the overarching mystery that shrouds the Olympics, the contingent of athletes in Tokyo are currently breaking down the barriers by taking us behind-the-scenes through everyone’s favorite guilty pleasure, TikTok.
@laviainielsen bc we don’t wanna embarrass you ? #teamgb #tokyoolympics
♬ The Magic Bomb (Extended Mix) – Hoàng Read
Exhilarating, euphoric, and emotional as the Tokyo Olympics 2020 are, what with all the records broken, legends immortalized, and history made (hello, Hidilyn Diaz and Nesthy Petecio), a lot of attention has been steered from the television and into our phones through TikTok. There is no need to plough through the popularity of the phenomenon that is the disruptive video-sharing app, but as it has done for many celebrities, influencers, and users in general, fame has been democratized and even humanized. Yes, athletes are just like us.
@samfrickerr Reply to @tadyyn #diving
♬ Beggin’ – Måneskin
Related: THE BIG LIFT: WHAT THE HISTORIC TOKYO OLYMPICS 2020 WIN MEANS FOR HIDILYN DIAZ
The Olympics Are Fun, Really
Unprecedented on so many fronts, especially pushing through amid the punishing conditions of the pandemic, much of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 has been pared down. Despite there be a pervading sense of being somber and still, the spirit of the games is alive and well, especially with the athletes providing a dose of hope to fire us up in our own fights. Aside from the display of unequivocal focus and skill, there are a lot of points of exhale in between the games, lending amusement when and where it is necessary. A quick scroll through social media, TikTok specifically, opens up to an entire universe of stories on what goes beyond the Olympics.
@codymelphy Reply to @joe.yoshida5 do we hang out with other countries? #tokyo2020 #olympics #tokyoolympics
♬ SUNNY DAY – Matteo Rossanese
A deep dive into the full scope of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 reveals that at least where the formalities of the international sporting event is concerned, protocols, limits, and rigors are followed, no matter how stubborn and archaic they are. However, on TikTok, it’s fair game for the players at the Olympics. Being their most unapologetically authentically selves, they get to let loose and laugh, and for some, even advocate on causes and amplify necessary stands and messages that they cannot otherwise do on the stands. So, whether it be the honesty of Simon Biles on mental health, the encompassing victory of Tom Daley, and the immensely magnetic charm of our very own, Margielyn Didal, these snippets of the Olympics on TikTok deserve a gold medal as well.
@margiedidal @jrayssaleal Congrats on getting Silver in the first Olympic
♬ original sound – Jean-Victor
Flooding the much contested For You Page on TikTok are a behind the scenes look at anything and everything Olympics—from the infamous cardboard beds, the thoughtful and thorough safety measures, to the dining hall offerings. Going down the rabbit hole of this binge, it is as if you are in the athlete’s village perhaps living out your dream to be an Olympian, albeit virtually. Here, things just make sense. After all, considering the Herculean responsibility and pressure mounted on the shoulders of these athletes, they all need a moment to breathe or well, dance.
@rowtotokyo Tell me you live in the Olympic village without telling me … ?? #olympics #olympicvillage #olympics2020 #olympicspirit #teamgb
♬ Ooh Ahh (My Life Be Like) [feat. Tobymac] – Grits
Want more of the Olympics on TikTok? Scroll down below for all that is going down in the athlete’s village and beyond.
Sanitizer challenge? Check
@lewis_clareburt Leaving the food hall be like #olympics #tokyo #tokyoolympics #nz #tokyo2020 #nzteam #nzolympicteam
♬ original sound – Lewis Clareburt ⚡️
Self-drive buses? Japanese superiority only.
@rowtotokyo Tell me you live in the Olympic village without telling me … ?? #olympics #olympicvillage #olympics2020 #olympicspirit #teamgb
♬ Ooh Ahh (My Life Be Like) [feat. Tobymac] – Grits
Vending machines are a tourist stop.
@samfrickerr SO Sick #olympics #tokyo #japan #vendingmachine
♬ BEE GEES VS 50 cent – Eric
There is good food, and lots of it. Oishi.
@thelibero Dinner tonight in the Tokyo Olympic Village! Also watching me eat is CRINGE #olympics #DontQuitYourDaydream #tokyo2020 #tokyo2021 #food
♬ original sound – Erik Shoji
A barbershop made the Olympic cut.
@kaitostreets More Tokyo Olympic Village #olympics #athlete #sports #fyp #fy #おすすめ #japan #tokyo #olympicscountdown #オリンピック #haircut
♬ Stuck in the Middle – Tai Verdes
The warriors need their gear.
@lewis_clareburt free @asics shoes in the Olympic Village! #olympicspirit #tokyo2020 #olympics
♬ original sound – switchdisco
The beds? They break, sort of.
@thenzteam ? what cardboard beds? #olympics #olympians #rowers #cardboard #fyp
♬ original sound – TRAP ??
Height requirement? Let’s talk, TikTok.
@caffarof Olympic village bathrooms ? #olympics #olympics2020 #olympics2021 #tokyo #tokyo2020 #tokyo2021 #argentina #basketball #arg #tall
♬ Beggin’ – Måneskin
Ms. Biles, you have an admirer.
@tylerdownss heyy girl we are teammates ?
♬ original sound – TOP 2⭐️
The pains of an athlete.
@kaitostreets Don’t worry I am fine ? #fyp #Olympics #athlete #sports #fencing #fy #おすすめ #olympian #オリンピック #? #? #tokyo
♬ Oh No – Kreepa
BONUS: The spirit of community.
@7olympics Bless. #japan #tokyo #wholesome #olympics #tokyo2020
♬ Listen – TikTok
CONTINUE READING: NESTHY PETECIO JUST BECAME THE FIRST FILIPINA TO WIN AN OLYMPIC MEDAL IN BOXING
