But to keep us entertained for the time being, here is our list of the best moments, the ones meme-d and not.
Pita Nikolas Taufatofua
HERE COMES TONGA 🇹🇴
Pita Taufatofua, the infamous Tongan flag bearer, is back for this third Olympic Games.#TokyoOlympics x #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/f303RYdQfo
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 24, 2021
Pita Taufatofua will unfortunately not be the flagbearer at the Paris Games this summer as he “fell short” for both the Kayak and Taekwondo qualifiers.
In an apology to fans explaining his future absence, he wrote, “Sorry Paris, the five gallons of extra virgin coconut oil I’ve been stockpiling ‘may’ have to wait ;).”
McKayla Maroney
Michael Phelps
when you’re watching cupping demonstrations on live tv pic.twitter.com/zF7gxEyl9t
— Caitlin Kelly (@caitlin__kelly) August 9, 2016
And this was just one of the Phelps moments…
Honestly, this cupping thing is getting out of control. pic.twitter.com/wxUguz2dea
— Kendra Gaylord (@kendragaylord) August 10, 2016
The Squirrel in PyeongChang
WATCH OUT SQUIRREL. pic.twitter.com/rtQ94MQeDj
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 24, 2018
James Bond and Queen Elisabeth
A night to remember when Daniel Craig appeared as James Bond to accompany her Majesty The Queen to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games! pic.twitter.com/C174bSyKkq
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) September 29, 2021
The Snowflake in Sochi
The first fail from the Olympics in Sochi is this broken snowflake. http://t.co/Q6L2UhhKpB pic.twitter.com/LNxDxBHthk
— Gawker (@Gawker) February 7, 2014
Aly Raisman’s Parents
Aly Raisman‘s parents, Rick and Lynn Raisman, first went viral at the 2012 London Olympics after they were spotted squirming in their seats as their gymnast daughter competed for the gold.
Aly Raisman’s parents stress me out more than anything! #leanback #Rio2016 #olympics #usa 😕 pic.twitter.com/1mRX0s8Px5
— bobgearing.eth 🦁👑 (@BobGearing) August 10, 2016
While Rick told USA Today he was “a little horrified,” he went on to bring the same energy to the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Aly—who won two golds and a bronze in London— took home another gold medal and two silvers.
Johnny Quinn
…With no phone to call for help, I used my bobsled push training to break out. #SochiJailBreak pic.twitter.com/apZRefgvCO
— U.S. Olympian Johnny Quinn (@JohnnyQuinnUSA) February 8, 2014
Quinn was in his bathroom in Russia’s Olympic Village in Sochi when the door jammed. He apparently got out.
Usain Bolt
“Making my way downtown
Walking fast
Faces pass
And I’m home bound”
*🎹🎹🎹* pic.twitter.com/c5ROZPIwcQ— Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) August 15, 2016
Usain Bolt running at lightning speed during the 100-meter dash in Rio.
Just two dudes having a friendly chat while running a 19.78 200m pic.twitter.com/UKL5wCzIcL
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) August 18, 2016
