Last Updated on November 27, 2024 by Sophia Angel Lou Quiachon
The Olympic Games has long been a spectacle of athletic prowess and global unity. This year, it takes place in the city of love, Paris. But beyond the gold, silver, and bronze medals, a few Olympic players have gained unexpected stardom during the Paris Olympics 2024 for reasons beyond their skills.
Here’s how five of the 10,500 competing players in the Olympics 2024 became an internet sensation overnight.
Yusuf Dikeç (Turkey) – Silver Medalist in Shooting
At the Olympics shooting event, Yusuf Dikeç of Turkey proves that age is just a number by winning Turkey’s first-ever Olympic medal in shooting. He competed with Sevval Ilayda Tarhan in the mixed team 10-meter air pistol event.
Dikeç has long been a stalwart of Turkey’s shooting team and has participated in multiple Olympics since 2008. However, his skills weren’t the only reason why he became viral.
No visors, ear protectors, nor goggles with blinders—that’s how Dikeç came in and won. Dikeç competed with nothing more than his prescription glasses and discreet yellow earplugs. Not to mention, Dikeç’s relaxed stance added to his unique charm.
For this reason, the internet started calling him the ‘hitman’ of the Olympics and even compared him to the iconic characters of “Pulp Fiction,” played by John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson.
Channel your inner shooter aura with Classic Specs’ Duke in Carbon Black…
Duke
This pair comes in all types of lenses and compliments round, oval, and square face types. It’s an identical pair to what Dikeç wore to the Olympics. Cherry on top, it has anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coating. Perfect for daily activities and aspiring shooting Olympians!
Yeji Kim (Republic of Korea) – Silver Medalist in Shooting
At almost the same time as Dikeç, Republic of Korea’s Yeji Kim also attracted buzz as she clinched silver in the 10-meter air pistol women’s event. Her ‘aura’ hailed her as the coolest athlete in the games for audiences all around the world.
Her vision-enhancing glasses, cap, facial expression, and stance all became a hallmark of her iconic look. As if that wasn’t enough, the gray elephant plushie hanging from her pocket gives that charming gap to the cool persona.
The plushie was later revealed to be her daughter’s which she brought as a lucky charm. Many say the charm did work as Kim won a silver medal which matches the gray elephant.
Giorgia Villa (Italy) – Silver Medalist in Artistic Gymnastics
Another internet sensation is Italian gymnast Giorgia Villa who won silver in artistic gymnastics. She quickly became an internet favorite after people discovered multiple pictures of her with cheese on Instagram—yes, cheese.
Back in April 2021, Villa announced her partnership with Parmigiano-Reggiano, an Italian cheese brand. Donning a sleek black gymnastics leotard, Villa strikes a pose next to a giant wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano. The best part? It’s not just one photo!
Her love for cheese and her collaboration with the brand has made her relatable to many. While she hasn’t confirmed whether she’s still affiliated with the brand, her posts have delighted many and have contributed greatly to her image.
Stephen Nedoroscik (USA) – Bronze Medalist in Artistic Gymnastics
Team USA gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, the only U.S male gymnast to qualify for the individual final, gained popularity for having only one job—perform on the pommel horse. During the event final, Nedoroscik delivered a stunning routine that earned him a score of 15.300, clinching another bronze medal.
Apart from being nicknamed the “Pommel Horse Guy,” NBC’s gymnastics commentator, Laurie Hernandez, also called him a real-life Clark Kent. She says that the way he only removes his glasses during his competitions resembles Superman’s alter ego.
Nedoroscik’s journey is even more remarkable considering he suffers from strabismus. It’s a condition where both eyes do not look at the same place at the same time. This hasn’t stopped him from achieving incredible feats on the pommel horse, though.
If you’re looking for a pair of prescription glasses that’s similar to the pommel horse guy’s, consider getting Gilmore by Classic Specs…
Gilmore
Just like Classic Specs’ Duke, Gilmore is a rectangular, small fit eyeglasses that compliments round, oval, and square face types. What sets the two apart is that unlike Duke which is a pitch-black color, Gilmore in Black Crystal has a hint of brown to it. It also comes in other unique colorways such as Havana Tortoise, Bonfire, and more!
Ilona Maher (USA) – Bronze Medalist in Rugby Sevens
Ilona Maher was also a sight to behold in the Paris Olympics 2024. Especially after winning a bronze medal in rugby sevens.
Since her rise to fame during the Tokyo Games, Maher has amassed 1.9 million followers on TikTok, thanks to her hilarious behind-the-scenes videos and candid glimpses into her life as an Olympian. Maher has become the most-followed rugby player on Instagram with the hashtag #beastbeautybrains and has 2 million followers.
This year, Maher has continued to charm fans with her humorous takes on everything from her handball infatuation to some of her attempts at flirting. She’s even showcased her stylish opening ceremony outfit!
Beyond the laughs, Maher has used her platform to advocate for body positivity. One of the most memorable moments was a two-month-old post where Maher clapped back at a commenter who mocked her body mass index (BMI).
Look good, feel good! Get ready for your next summer trip (or Olympic training, maybe?) by getting Maher-inspired sunglasses from Classic Specs…
Brighton
Orange tinted lenses with the colorway of the sunset—Brighton has almost exactly the same pair as Maher. Its shape best compliments round, oval, and square face types and has a snug fit so it doesn’t easily slide down your nose bridge. Even better, it comes in both classic and fun color variants from carbon black to caramel horn.
Henrik Christiansen (Norway) – Swimming
Last but never least, we have the “muffin man” of the Olympics, Henrik Christiansen of Norway.
A three-time Olympian, Christiansen became the unofficial Muffin Man of the Paris Games, thanks to his delightful TikToks showing his love for the chocolate muffins in the Olympic Village. His passion for these delectable treats has resonated with fans around the world. This content alone grew his TikTok account from around 3,000 followers to over 340,000, with his videos garnering a whopping 16.7 million likes.
While his swimming results in Paris ended in a 25th place finish in the men’s 800-meter freestyle, Christiansen isn’t done yet. He’s set to compete in the men’s open water 10k marathon swim in the Seine River on August 9, 2024.
Why Choose Classic Specs?
Like these head-turning Olympians, Classic Specs offers eyewear that stands out for all the right reasons.
At Classic Specs, we believe that eyewear shouldn’t be complicated. Just as Olympians combine style with performance, our glasses are crafted from premium, hypoallergenic cellulose acetate sourced from a family-owned factory in Northern Italy—the pioneers of the faux tortoise shell. Our goal is to provide you with a wide variety of vintage and retro-inspired frames that not only follow timeless trends but also offer lasting durability.
With Classic Specs, you can find eyewear that is made with you in mind. For excellence and timelessness, choose Classic Specs.
