David Kent: Why Paris 2024 will be known as the TikTok Olympics 

Social media brings coverage of the Games to a whole new level

A general view of the accommodation at the Olympic Village site in Paris, which is being  used by the Ireland Olympic Team. Picture: PA

Am I the only person who feels that they know an awful lot more about this year’s Summer Olympics in Paris than ever before?

For example, I know that Venezuelan swimmer Alberto Mestre has been able to get water bottles from vending machines using a special code on his lanyard, while his New Zealand colleague Lewis Clareburt was hoping to have dumplings in the food hall.

Uzbekistani athletes, all 86 of them, will walk outside their accommodation to a massive ‘TIME TO WIN’ emblazoned on a stage.

Outside the British apartments, there is a red phone box, while kangaroo statues lie in wait for Australian athletes outside their accommodation, and a giant red moose for Canadians.

I know that there are quite a few athletes who seem to hope the Olympic Village will be more like the Love Island villa, with an American diver and Brazilian track and field star checking out their competition in more ways than one.

And I am also aware of the “cardboard beds” that are in place in the village thanks to an Aussie hockey player and Springbok rugby supremo — who noted that though there are made from 100% recyclable materials, there is nothing that would stop athletes getting, shall we say, a little closer.

I even know that the International Olympic Committee are preparing for such an event, because each room in the village has been supplied with condoms — with an estimated 300,000 being given out between the 10,700 athletes staying there, with messages written on the protection including: “Score a win: Yes to consent, no to STDs,” and “No need to be a gold medalist to wear it!” 

Social media coverage

How do I know this? They all appeared on my TikTok feed during a 10-minute swiping session.

The app has exploded in popularity in the last few years and Paris will mark the first time that we see a proper level of TikTok coverage from the Games.

In 2021 (which were the postponed 2020 Tokyo Games), covid restrictions were in place, we didn’t have crowds attending the majority of events and athletes were kept distanced or in their own bubbles.

Four years before that, TikTok would only be created two months after the Rio Games.

The level of access we now have to the elite level of sport is incredible.

From #GRWM (get ready with me) content to room tours, to receiving their official outfits, to the whole reason TikTok’s popularity exploded initially — dancing — we are being brought into an entirely new world.

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The build-up started ahead of the opening ceremony, when the official Olympics TikTok page had 9.7m followers, and by the time the first official day of competition kicked off, it was clear that the TikTok Olympics are in full swing. While the Games saw their first new world record set in the pool on Wednesday night, social media views are also being smashed on all platforms, but especially TikTok.

From families in tears, to athletes pushing themselves to their very limit, the glory, the heartbreak, the commentary, the interviews, the Greatest Show on Earth is now available at our fingertips.

And we will be enjoying every single swipe.