Avatar

My Favourite GIFS of the 2024 Olympics

Before the closing ceremony I just wanted to put together my olympic story from all the gifsets I made during the games. I didn't catch everything! and others will have the more famous memes etc. but these are the highlights and memories for me of an amazing olympics in Paris. I hope you remember some and treasure them too.

What a story, what an amazing journey and I'm so thankful for all your likes and reblogs along the way. It made getting up every day so much fun and the whole thing that much more special.

Paris you were incredible! 💕

Avatar

i need you all to understand how absolutely fucking monumental beating someone by SEVENTEEN seconds in a swim race is. normally, in olympic swimming, all the swimmers finish within the same few seconds. notice how in the event replay, all the other swimmers are roughly in a line during the race… (admittedly, swimmers tend to finish further apart from each other in longer distance races, but not by that much.) people spend months, years of their lives doing brutal training just trying to one-up other swimmers by a single second, because that can mean a win. every hundredth of a second matters.

and then. imagine being ledecky and finishing your olympic race, sitting and waiting on second place to arrive for seventeen entire seconds.

Avatar

The Language of Connection (Thomas Ceccon)

(Guys don’t come for me I didn’t know what to name her🫣)

The Tokyo Olympics had been a momentous occasion for Y/N. Winning gold for Team USA was the pinnacle of her career, a dream realized on the world’s biggest stage. But it wasn’t just the medal that catapulted her into the limelight—it was her entire demeanor. Like Michael Phelps before her, Y/N had become known for her stoic personality, her razor-sharp focus, and her unwavering dedication to the sport. TikTok was flooded with edits of her, capturing moments of her intense pre-race routines, especially those where she was seen with her headphones on, blocking out the world as she prepared for battle in the water. People compared her to Phelps, calling her a machine, a force of nature.

Yet, her teammates knew the truth. Behind the tough exterior was someone incredibly kind and sweet. The dichotomy between the public perception and who she truly was became part of her mystique, something that both fascinated and intimidated those who didn’t know her well.

One person who had been captivated by Y/N from afar was Thomas Ceccon. The Italian swimmer had watched her with admiration during the Tokyo Games, impressed not only by her performance but by the aura she carried with her. She was focused, disciplined, everything he strived to be. But despite sharing the same Olympic village, he never got the chance to speak to her. The language barrier was his biggest obstacle—he only knew Italian, and he assumed she wouldn’t understand him if he tried to strike up a conversation.

It wasn’t until after Tokyo, as he scrolled through Instagram, that he saw a clip of himself being interviewed in Italian. He had mentioned how he didn’t speak English well, how it had held him back from interacting with some of the other athletes. The interview made its rounds on social media, and one day, Y/N stumbled across it. She watched it, a spark of realization hitting her as she read the translated caption. That was why he hadn’t approached her—he thought they wouldn’t be able to communicate.

Without hesitation, Y/N decided to learn Italian. It wasn’t just because of Thomas, but there was something about him that had intrigued her in Tokyo, and the idea of being able to connect with him felt like a new challenge, something exciting to pursue. Her rigorous training schedule left little room for distractions, but she made time for language lessons, fitting them into her days whenever she could.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Thomas had decided to tackle his own linguistic challenge. He had been thinking about Y/N ever since Tokyo, regretting that he hadn���t tried to talk to her despite the language barrier. He was determined not to let that opportunity slip by again. With the help of a tutor, he began learning English, slowly but steadily improving. The process was frustrating at times, but the thought of being able to speak to Y/N kept him motivated.

As the years passed and the next Olympics loomed on the horizon, both Y/N and Thomas continued to grow in their respective careers. They kept up with each other’s progress through social media and news articles, each quietly cheering the other on from a distance. The anticipation of the Paris Olympics brought with it a mix of excitement and nerves. For Y/N, it was another chance to prove herself, to show the world that her success in Tokyo was no fluke. For Thomas, it was an opportunity to finally close the gap that had separated them in Tokyo, to see if the connection he felt from afar could become something real.

The city of Paris was buzzing with Olympic fever as athletes from around the world gathered once more. Y/N arrived with Team USA, her focus sharp as ever. She had learned to balance the weight of expectations with her own inner drive, and she was ready to compete. But beneath the surface, there was a flutter of excitement at the thought of finally seeing Thomas again.

The first few days of the games were a blur of training sessions and preliminary heats. Y/N was in her element, her every move calculated, her mind locked in on the goal. But in the moments between, her thoughts would drift to Thomas. She wondered if he had seen her race, if he was thinking about her too.

Their first encounter came after one of Y/N’s qualifying heats. She had just finished her swim, her muscles humming with the familiar post-race adrenaline, when she saw him. Thomas was standing near the edge of the pool, watching her with a look that was both warm and intense. He looked different from the last time she’d seen him—more mature, more confident.

“Ciao, Thomas,” Y/N said, walking over to him, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Ciao, Y/N,” Thomas replied, his smile widening. “You were amazing out there.”

“Thank you,” she said, switching to Italian with a smile of her own. “Come stai?”

Thomas’s eyes lit up with surprise and delight. “Bene, grazie. E tu?”

“I’m good,” she replied in English, wanting to make him feel comfortable. “I’ve been learning Italian.”

“I’ve been learning English,” Thomas confessed, his voice filled with the same warmth that had drawn her to him in the first place. “For you.”

Y/N felt a blush rise to her cheeks, her heart swelling with a mixture of happiness and relief. “I guess we’ve both been working hard.”

“Yeah,” Thomas said, his eyes never leaving hers. “I didn’t want to miss my chance to talk to you again.”

They stood there for a moment, just smiling at each other, the rest of the world fading away. In that moment, it didn’t matter that they were surrounded by the chaos of the Olympics, or that they were both here to compete at the highest level. What mattered was that they had finally found a way to connect, to communicate in a way that went beyond words.

“Maybe we could grab a coffee sometime?” Thomas suggested, his voice hopeful.

“I’d like that,” Y/N replied, feeling a thrill of excitement at the thought.

Over the next few days, Y/N and Thomas found themselves spending more and more time together. They met for coffee, walked around the Olympic Village, and even watched some of the events together when their schedules allowed. The connection they had both felt in Tokyo had only grown stronger, and now that they could finally talk to each other, it felt like they were making up for lost time.

Y/N was struck by how easy it was to be around Thomas. He was charming and funny, but also deeply passionate about his sport and his goals. They talked about their training, their experiences in Tokyo, and their dreams for the future. But they also talked about more personal things—family, friends, and the challenges they faced in balancing their careers with their personal lives.

For Thomas, being with Y/N felt like a breath of fresh air. She was everything he had imagined and more. Beneath her stoic exterior was someone who was kind, thoughtful, and fiercely dedicated to the people she cared about. He admired her even more now that he knew her better, and he couldn’t help but feel a growing attraction to her.

One evening, after a long day of competition, they found themselves sitting by the river Seine, the Eiffel Tower glowing softly in the background. The conversation had flowed easily all night, but now there was a comfortable silence between them, the kind that only comes when two people feel truly at ease with each other.

“I’ve been thinking about you a lot,” Thomas admitted, his voice soft as he looked out at the water.

“Me too,” Y/N said, her heart skipping a beat. “It’s strange, isn’t it? How we were so close in Tokyo, but never really connected.”

“It’s not strange,” Thomas said, turning to face her. “We just weren’t ready then. But now… I think we are.”

Y/N looked into his eyes, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “I think you’re right.”

They sat there for a moment, the sounds of the city around them, the gentle lapping of the river at their feet. Then, slowly, Thomas reached out and took her hand in his, the gesture simple but filled with meaning. Y/N felt her heart swell, a sense of contentment settling over her. This was what she had been missing, what she had been searching for.

As the days went on, Y/N and Thomas continued to grow closer. They supported each other through the highs and lows of the competition, cheering each other on from the sidelines. Y/N’s races were intense, each one a test of her strength and endurance. She could feel the weight of the world’s expectations on her shoulders, but she didn’t let it deter her. She had learned to thrive under pressure, to use it as fuel to propel her forward.

Thomas was there every step of the way, offering her encouragement and support. He knew how much this meant to her, how hard she had worked to get here. And seeing her compete, seeing the fire in her eyes as she swam, only made him admire her more.

The night of the finals was a culmination of everything they had worked for. The stadium was packed, the energy in the air electric as the world watched the best swimmers in the world compete for gold. Y/N stood on the starting block, her heart pounding in her chest, but her mind clear. She knew what she had to do.

As the starting signal echoed through the arena, Y/N dove into the water, her body cutting through it with the precision of a blade. Every stroke, every breath, was perfectly timed, her years of training coming together in a seamless display of power and grace. She could feel the competition around her, the other swimmers pushing hard, but she didn’t let it distract her. She was in the zone, her mind focused on the finish line.

When Y/N touched the wall, the roar of the crowd reverberated throughout the stadium. She blinked, momentarily disoriented by the noise, before her eyes darted to the scoreboard. Time seemed to stretch as she searched for her name among the flashing numbers.

And then she saw it—first place.

Gold.

A surge of emotions crashed over her like a tidal wave. Relief, joy, exhaustion, pride—it was all there, swirling together in a heady mix that left her breathless. She had done it. She had defended her title and proven that her victory in Tokyo wasn’t a fluke.

Climbing out of the pool, she was immediately engulfed by her teammates, who were cheering and shouting their congratulations. Y/N smiled, the adrenaline still pumping through her veins, but even as she celebrated with them, her eyes were searching the crowd, looking for one person in particular.

And then she spotted him. Thomas was standing near the edge of the pool, his expression a mixture of awe and admiration. He didn’t need to say anything—his eyes said it all. Y/N felt her heart swell as she walked over to him, the noise of the crowd fading into the background.

“Congratulations,” Thomas said, his voice warm as he pulled her into a tight hug. “You were incredible.”

“Thank you,” Y/N replied, her voice muffled against his shoulder. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

They pulled back slightly, just enough to look into each other’s eyes. Y/N could see the pride and affection in Thomas’s gaze, and she knew that it mirrored her own feelings. This victory was as much his as it was hers.

“You’re amazing,” Thomas said, his voice filled with sincerity. “I’m so proud of you.”

Y/N smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “You were great too,” she said, remembering his performance earlier in the night. “You’ve come so far.”

Thomas chuckled, his expression softening. “It’s easier when you have someone like you to inspire you.”

Y/N felt a blush rise to her cheeks, but she didn’t look away. Instead, she leaned in, closing the distance between them. The kiss was soft, tender, a moment of connection that was both simple and profound. It was the culmination of everything they had been through—years of training, of missed opportunities, of learning and growing together.

When they finally pulled apart, Y/N felt a sense of peace settle over her. This was right. This was where she was meant to be.

As they stood there, side by side, the sounds of the celebration around them, Y/N realized that this was just the beginning. The Paris Olympics had given them a second chance, and they weren’t going to waste it.

Over the next few days, as the Olympics continued, Y/N and Thomas made the most of their time together. They watched each other’s remaining races, cheering each other on with all the enthusiasm and support that had come to define their relationship. The connection they had built over the years, strengthened by their shared experiences and mutual admiration, was now blossoming into something more.

One evening, after a particularly intense day of competition, they found themselves alone in the Olympic Village. The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden light over the city, and they decided to take a walk to unwind. The streets were quiet, most of the athletes either resting or preparing for their next events, giving Y/N and Thomas a rare moment of solitude.

As they walked, hand in hand, they talked about everything and nothing—how they had both changed since Tokyo, what they wanted to do after the Olympics, and the dreams they had for the future. It was a conversation filled with laughter, teasing, and the kind of honesty that only comes with true trust.

“I was so intimidated by you in Tokyo,” Thomas confessed at one point, his tone light but sincere. “You were always so focused, so in the zone. I didn’t think you’d even notice someone like me.”

Y/N laughed, shaking her head. “I noticed you,” she said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “I just didn’t think you’d want to talk to me. I guess we were both a little scared.”

Thomas smiled, a soft, affectionate expression that made Y/N’s heart flutter. “I’m glad we finally figured it out.”

“Me too,” Y/N agreed. She looked up at the sky, the first stars beginning to appear as the city lights flickered on around them. “It’s funny how things work out, isn’t it? We could have missed each other completely, but here we are.”

“Here we are,” Thomas echoed, his voice full of contentment. He stopped walking, turning to face her fully. “And I wouldn’t change a thing.”

They stood there, in the middle of the quiet street, the world around them fading away as they focused on each other. Y/N felt a deep sense of gratitude—grateful for this moment, for this connection, and for the journey that had brought them here.

As they continued their walk, Y/N couldn’t help but think about what lay ahead. The Paris Olympics would come to an end, but their story was just beginning. There would be new challenges, new opportunities, and new adventures. But whatever came next, she knew that they would face it together.

In the final days of the Olympics, Y/N and Thomas spent as much time together as they could. They explored the city, visiting landmarks and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. They took photos, laughed, and shared stories, creating memories that they knew they would cherish forever.

When the closing ceremony finally arrived, there was a bittersweet feeling in the air. The Olympics had been an unforgettable experience, filled with triumphs and challenges, but now it was time to say goodbye to the city that had brought them together.

As they walked into the stadium, hand in hand, surrounded by their fellow athletes, Y/N felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. She had achieved everything she had set out to do, and more. But as she looked at Thomas, she realized that the most important thing she had gained was something she hadn’t even known she was looking for—a true connection, a partner, someone who understood her in a way that no one else did.

As the closing ceremony unfolded, with its music, fireworks, and speeches, Y/N and Thomas stood together, their hands entwined. They didn’t need to say anything—their presence next to each other was enough. It was a moment of reflection, of looking back on everything they had accomplished, and of looking forward to the future.

When the ceremony ended, and the athletes began to disperse, Y/N and Thomas lingered for a moment, not quite ready to leave. The stadium was slowly emptying, the noise of the crowd fading into the night, leaving behind a quiet, almost sacred atmosphere.

“Thank you,” Y/N said softly, turning to Thomas. “For everything.”

Thomas smiled, his eyes shining with affection. “No, thank you,” he replied. “For giving me a reason to try harder, to push myself. And for being exactly who you are.”

Y/N felt her heart swell with emotion. “I’m glad we found each other,” she said, her voice thick with sincerity.

“Me too,” Thomas whispered, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. “And I’m not letting you go.”

Y/N smiled, feeling a sense of certainty settle over her. “Good,” she said, leaning into him. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”

They stood there for a while, just holding each other, as the last of the athletes filed out of the stadium. The city of Paris, with all its beauty and history, had witnessed the beginning of something special. And as Y/N and Thomas walked out into the night, they knew that this was only the beginning of their journey together.

The Paris Olympics would forever hold a special place in their hearts, not just for the medals won or the records broken, but for the connection that had been forged, the relationship that had been built on a foundation of mutual respect, admiration, and love.

And as they left the stadium, hand in hand, they knew that whatever the future held, they would face it together, stronger and more united than ever before.

Avatar

"I swim to compete, they [Palestinians] swim to survive."

Valerie Tarazi, originally from Gaza, earned second place in the Women's 200m Individual Medley heat 1 at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

She proudly represents Palestine, embodying the resilience of her people.

🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸

follow for more Olympic updates !🤍🇵🇸

You are using an unsupported browser and things might not work as intended. Please make sure you're using the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.