A Guide to the Most Iconic Paris Olympics Photos

This week:

• What is this Blake Lively feud?

• The most iconic Olympic photos.

• My new Olympic inspiration.

• My likely Olympic reality.

Frame Them, Hang Them in the Louvre

Last week, a photo taken by Jérôme Brouillet of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina floating through the air celebrating a huge run instantly went viral. A friend this week told me, “That photo has to win a Pulitzer Prize, right?” It really is that good.

It had me thinking about what have been some other indelible photos of this year’s games, particularly from Week 2.

The photo of U.S. gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles on the medal podium bowing down to Brazil’s Rebecca Andrade, who won gold in the floor exercise, made my cold, rigid heart swell. It’s such a moving example of sportsmanship, one that was especially appreciated by viewers who have been watching the entire gymnastics competition in awe of Andrade, who was owed such a celebration.

Another highlight from the gymnastic medal stand is an adorable sequence of events: China’s Zhou Yaqin doesn’t realize that the Italian medalists were posing the classic “bite the medal” photo, belatedly notices, and quickly joins in.

I’ve been obsessed with competitors in other sports celebrating by recreating the iconic photo of Turkish sharpshooter Yusuf Dikeç winning a silver medal with all the casualness of a Tuesday trip to the grocery store.

And this image of sprinter Noah Lyles collapsed on the track after finishing his race and winning the bronze medal while having COVID is particularly haunting. (While also raising a lot of questions about the safety and health precautions at the Olympics when it comes to competing after testing positive.)

Then there’s the French pole vaulter, Anthony Ammirati, whose massive penis dashed his Olympic dreams. (But has made him a star for, um, other reasons.)

Will the photo hang in a museum? If that “museum” is the “wall of my apartment,” then yes. Otherwise…

Maybe There’s Hope for Me Yet…

One of my favorite stories to come out of this year’s Olympics is that of U.S. cyclist Kristen Faulkner, who won a gold medal in the sport—that she just started training for six years ago.

She quit her career as a venture capitalist in 2021 to concentrate on cycling full time, and is now in the Olympics. By that measure, if I quit today and start training, you should be seeing me on top of the podium at the 2028 Los Angeles games.

Although, I guess first I should buy a bicycle.

…More Likely, However, Is This

I must concede that, after watching Australian breakdancer compete Friday at the Olympics, I may be far more suited to that sport than cycling. Especially if this is what an Olympic-worthy routine looks like:

More From The Daily Beast’s Obsessed

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What to watch this week:

Industry: Finally, there’s good TV coming back to our screens. (Sun. on HBO)

Good One: A brilliant, emotional, and surprising indie film debut. (Now in theaters)

Daughters: A lovely documentary. Bring tissues. (Wed. on Netflix)

What to skip this week:

It Ends With Us: The behind-the-scenes drama is better than the movie. (Now in theaters)

Borderlands: Alternate title: Cate Blanchett, what were you thinking? (Now in theaters)

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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