The Olympians using TikTok to highlight the secrets of the village
By Meg Watson
Fancy a first-hand look at what it’s like to swim inside an official Olympic pool? What about an expert assessment of the cardboard “anti-sex beds” in the Olympic village?
Following on from the tradition set in Tokyo (2021 was the first Olympic Games since the advent of TikTok), athletes from all around the world have been flooding the social media platform with their excitement, observations and behind-the-scenes antics in Paris.
And thanks to updated Olympic guidelines introduced this year, they’ve also been given unprecedented freedom to share content from inside accredited areas.
The best Olympians to follow on TikTok during the 2024 games.Credit: Artwork by Jamie Brown
Here’s a guide on which Olympians to follow and the gold they’ve posted so far.
Tilly Kearns - Australia, water polo
Having also vlogged the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Tilly Kearns may be Australia’s TikTok MVP. So far, she’s offered breaking coverage of the “rock solid cardboard beds” the athletes are provided (plus the emergency mattress toppers they had to order in), as well as the perks like free ice cream and branded swag. Her best clips, however, are all about the wholesome excitement – whether that’s seeing the competition pool for the first time or standing on her balcony in the Olympic village as the world’s best athletes gather listening to the Fijian team sing.
Mackenzie Arnold - Australia, soccer
The Matildas’ goalkeeper made a splash last week with a viral TikTok of her and teammate Alanna Kennedy awkwardly spinning and curtseying in their controversial “private school”-esque opening ceremony kit.
She’s been quiet on the platform since the games kicked off (fair enough, she’s had a bit on), but is definitely one to watch; even her sponsored content is funny.
Ilona Maher - United States, rugby seven
Maher, another veteran of Olympic TikTok, has also taken aim at her national kit posting a clip of her channelling Sue Sylvester from Glee in her red tracksuit. She’s also out and about mingling with celebs like Snoop Dogg and former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce, championing different body types, and doing skits about finding love in the #OlympicVilla.
Henrik Christiansen - Norway, swimming
This Norwegian swimmer garnered attention before the games began for his wild content which included him impersonating the Four Seasons Orlando baby, swimming with duct tape over his mouth in preparation for the Seine, and wearing his girlfriend’s g-string to feel “closer” to her while he’s away. But somehow things are now even stranger. Christiansen is now diligently documenting a surreal love affair he’s having with an “11/10 choccy muffin” served in the Olympic Village boulangerie. He’s posted nine TikToks about it, officially declared himself “THE OLYMPIC MUFFIN MAN” and even been hunted down by other athletes eager to share a choccy treat with the minor celebrity.
Simone Biles - United States, gymnastics
Between the recent Netflix docuseries about her troubles in Tokyo and her “history defining” performance in Paris, this superstar is all over our screens right now. But it’s also worth keeping an eye on the joyful, more personal clips on her social media. After the US gymnastics team won gold this week, the cameras caught Biles and her teammate Suni Lee immediately planning what TikTok they were going to do. The resulting video of them excitedly chomping into their medals now has 18.7 million views and counting.
Lewis Clareburt - New Zealand, swimmer
Sometimes Olympic life looks very glamorous and other times it looks like two men in their undies having a “shave party” in a small hotel bathroom.
This swimmer is documenting his experience from the rooms to the food hall to the pool, but his best offering came when he walked in the doors – catching the moment Kiwi Olympians were welcomed with a spectacular haka.
Keet Oldenbeuving - Netherlands, skateboarding
This 19-year-old skateboarder is sharing comprehensive daily diaries from her second Olympic Games (you read that right) which include lots of sweet behind-the-scenes details and cameos from Aussies like “teen prodigy” Chloe Covell. For instance: did you know that athletes are provided with national pins they swap around like friendship bracelets at a Taylor Swift concert?
Sarah Douglas - Canada, sailing
There are also adorable school camp vibes in the content on this Olympic sailor’s TikTok, including her pin collection and Polaroids from the Olympic village. However, she’s getting a special shoutout for one post in particular: using the old-age filter on her face captioned “How it feels to be 30 at the Olympics” is the most relatable thing I’ve seen so far.
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