10 funny moments from 2024 Paris Olympics: From 'Bob the Cap Catcher' to Snoop Dogg's pin

10 unforgettable weird and funny moments from the 2024 Paris Olympics

The 2024 Paris Olympics will wind up in less than a week. With competitors across the globe striving to reach new heights, the 2024 Summer Games also dropped some funny and weird moments since it kicked off on July 26. From therapy dogs to horse stables on air, here are 10 such moments from the iconic international multi-sport event.

1. Bob the Cap Catcher

Bob, the cap catcher, was the first viral sensation of the 2024 Paris Olympics. After Team USA's Emma Weber lost her swim cap during the women's 100m breaststroke preliminary race on July 28, a hero in a bright floral speedo emerged, walking to the deck confidently. The Associated Press later identified him as a lifeguard. He efficiently swam to the bottom of the pool and retrieved Weber's cap, meeting with loud cheering from the crowd.

2. Team USA gymnastics squad's therapy dog

Duncan Strauss, who hosts a radio show titled 'Talking Animals', revealed on Instagram that the US gymnastics team has a therapy dog. He posted a photo of a dog named Beacon standing with Simone Biles and noted it was the "pioneering pooch and star of this show." According to the Instagram post, Tracey Callahan Molnar was the main handler of the therapy dog that became beloved among the US gymnastics world.

3. Air Horse One

The term "Air Horse One" gained fame amid the 2024 Paris Games. Unlike the world-class riders, horses cannot land in Paris via a commercial flight. The horses for the US equestrian team were transported to the Olympic venue through the equine transport company The Dutta Corporation. This led to the funny nickname "Air Horse One," in reference to the US president's Air Force One. In short, the horses had a comfortable stable on air while they were shipped to Paris.

4. Snoop Dogg's coolest Olympic pin

Snoop Dogg's Olympic pin turned into the hottest item at the Paris Games. It portrayed the rapper exhaling five rings of smoke in the colors of the Olympic rings with the Eiffel Tower in the background. According to USA Today, even he has no idea where to find the pin. "I don't have an answer for that," said Snoop Dogg when asked about the sought-after item. He added, "I'm going to be honest with you; I have zero answers for that." The pin is not available to purchase at any of the stores sanctioned by the Olympic Games. 

5. Turkish shooter with no specialized equipment

Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec went viral over the choice to compete at the Pais Games without any specialized equipment. The 51-year-old won a silver in the 10m air pistol mixed team on July 30 with partner Sevval Ilayda Tarhan. Dikec claimed that he did not need any equipment, while others competed with ear protection and specialized glasses. "I never needed that equipment. I am a natural shooter. That's why I don't use many accessories," said the medal winner after his pictures went viral over the globe, as per The Tab.

6. Moldova's judoka dislocates shoulder while celebrating bronze medal win

Adil Osmanov of Moldova injured himself while celebrating his victory in Judo's 73 kg weight class against Italy's Manuel Lombardo at Champ-de-Mars Arena. The jubilation of the bronze medal took a terrific turn as the 24-year-old got his shoulder dislocated, as per the New York Post. Responding to the injury, he said, "During the warm-up, I felt bad, but I've had that before — and that's when I got a medal. I had no options to back down."

7. French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati's manhood mishap

Another weird moment in Paris emerged when French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati got knocked out due to his manhood. As the 21-year-old was trying to clear 5.70m, his crotch got caught on the bar, dislodging it. He couldn't proceed to the final as he finished 12th in his qualifying group. "It’s a big disappointment," said Ammirati after his elimination, as per the  French Athletics Federation. He added, "I was at 100% physically, but I missed a little bit of the pole. The conditions were good. It’s the first time I’ve started a competition without any stress. As I was a total outsider, I only had one goal: to play with the audience. I was almost there."

8. The muffin man

A Norwegian swimmer has fallen head over heels for the muffins served in the Olympic Village. Henrik Christiansen made the chocolate muffins a hit in an otherwise complained-filled food for the athletes. "They're very rich, and I like that. Some people might find it too powerful, but they're right up my alley," said the Norwegian in an interview, as per The New York Times. In a series of viral videos, he declared his love for the sweet delicacy, stuffing his face with the muffins.

9. The cool South Korean sharpshooter

South Korean sharpshooter Kim Yeji went viral for her cool appearance while competing in the 10m air pistol event on July 28. Her nonchalance made her look like a character in an action movie. The 31-year-old also melted hearts as she competed with her daughter's stuffed toy elephant attached to her belt. The first-time Olympian bagged a silver medal in the event. 

10. The tiny shooting target

For a normal person, the shooting target for the Paris Olympics would look like a dot on the paper. For rifle shooting, the target's entire diameter is 0.5 mm, which came as a shock to many viewers. In ISSF competitions, including the Olympics, electronic boards are used with targets precise to 0.001 millimeters. In addition, the shooter has to stand 10m away from the target.