The memorable moments of the Paris Games that captured the world's attention

The Paris Olympics opened with a ceremony featuring Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, a Last Supper interpretation by drag queens, an Olympic cauldron rising from a hot-air balloon, and of course, Phryge, chosen as the event’s official mascot.

And that was just day one.

This year’s Olympics has been nothing short of unforgettable; and with the world event soon coming to a close, here are some of the moments that captured the world’s attention.

Raygun’s breaking

A woman doing a handstand spinning on her elbow

Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun, during the B-Girls Round Robin breaking competition. Source: AAP / Dan Himbrechts

Breakdancing made its debut this Olympics and quickly became an internet meme.

made history as the first Australian to compete in the sport at the Olympics, but failed to secure a point in the event’s group stages.

As videos of her performance flooded social media, with attracted both cruel and supportive comments, the athlete backed her own creativity.

“What I wanted to do was come out here and do something new and different and creative — that’s my strength, my creativity,” Gunn said.

“I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves, so I wanted to move differently, be artistic and creative because how many chances do you get that in a lifetime to do that on an international stage?

“I was always the underdog and wanted to make my mark in a different way.”

Australia’s Chef de Mission Anna Meares and said it was typical of historic misogynistic abuse.

Mongolian team outfits

The Olympics was as much about the outfits as it was about the games.

One particular team that caught the eye of the world was Mongolia, not just because of the cultural significance of their uniforms, but because of how beautifully ornate and detailed they were.

Michel&Amazonka designed four sets of uniforms for each Olympian, each one a modern version of the Mongolian deel, which is similar to a caftan.

The Mongolian national colours of blue, red and white — as well as the Soyombo symbol that appears in the country’s flag — feature in the uniforms.

The sharpshooters and their ‘swag’

Silver sharpshooter medalists Kim Ye-ji of South Korea and Yusuf Dikec of Türkiye went viral for being their own versions of ‘cool’.

Kim was lauded for looking futuristic while having, what some social media users considered, “the most aura ever”.

And while many in the competition donned fancy mechanical irises and big ear protectors, silver-haired Dikec needed nothing but his nonchalance, focus and a hand in the pocket.

A celebratory swim

Noemie Fox, 27, won another gold medal for Australia and a clean sweep in the women’s canoe events for her family.

As Fox crossed the line ahead of Angele Hug of France and reigning world champion Kimberley Woods of Great Britain, her mother, Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi (a bronze medalist in the 1996 Olympics) and her sister Jessica (triple Olympic champion), jumped into the water to celebrate with her.

One woman is on a canoe, while another one is in the water, celebrating

Olympian Jessica Fox swims to her sister Noemie to celebrate her gold medal win. Source: AP / Kirsty Wigglesworth

Women celebrating women

In a touching show of sportsmanship, American gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles — who won silver and bronze, respectively — bowed down to Rebeca Andrade of Brazil after she won the gold medal in the women’s floor competition.

Two women bow down to another woman who won the gold medal

US gymnasts Simone Biles (left) and Jordan Chiles bow down to gold medal winner Rebeca Andrade of Brazil. Source: AP / Abbie Parr

The three made up the first all-Black gymnastics podium in Olympic history.

The pole vaulter’s privates

Now here’s one for the books: Pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati missed out on the final because of his crotch.

After clearing 5.40 and 5.60 metres in the men’s pole vault qualification, Ammirati failed his third attempt when his penis clipped the bar as he went over it.

Rear view of a man in a blue athletics outfit contacting a horizontal bar high in the air.

Anthony Ammirati’s privates took him out of contention in the pole vault final. Source: SIPA USA / FEP / Icon Sport

He might not have taken home a medal, but he’s certainly gained a new level of online fame.

Say cheese!

Italian gymnast Giorgia Villa not only helped bring her country to the forefront after helping the women’s team win silver for the first time in a hundred years — she also helped shine the spotlight on one of Italy’s most beloved products — cheese.

Villa went viral for her partnership with Parmigiano Reggiano as well as the ‘cheesy’ photos of her endorsement.

46 seconds in the ring

The welterweight division fight between Angela Carini of Italy and Imane Khelif of Algeria lasted but 46 seconds.

After taking a hard blow to the face in round one, Carini called it quits and Khelif was announced the winner. Carini then fell to her knees and sobbed.

Two female boxers in the ring. One is in blue and the other is in red. The one wearing blue is in tears.

It only took 46 seconds for Angela Carini to quit her match with Imane Khelif. Source: AP / Ariana Cubillos

Carini said she decided to forfeit the fight because she had never been hit that hard in the past and she needed to “safeguard her life”.

Khelif, who has been has recently stated that she didn’t care “what anyone is saying about me with the controversy”.

The ‘bridal’ carry

Many are ‘shipping’ the Olympic Chinese duo Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani after the two posed for photos after their gold medal win.

Chen picked up Chang ‘like a bride’ as many fans commented on social media, sparking rumours of a romantic relationship.

Two women in tracksuits of red bottoms and white tops. One is carrying the other in front of a diving pool.

Chen Yiwen carried Chang Yani ‘like a bride’ while posing for photos after their gold medal win. Source: AP / Lee Jin-man

The two made their Olympic debut this year, winning China’s first diving gold medal when they beat the United States and Great Britain in the women’s synchronised 3-metre springboard final.

Snoop Dogg in dressage gear

Snoop Dogg may not be an Olympian, but the rapper has been stealing the show as a special correspondent for US network NBC.

From kicking off the world event by carrying the Olympic torch, to dancing with gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, Snoop Dogg has been the celebrity to watch out for.

Out of the many memorable Snoop moments of the games, one of the most talked about is his attendance at dressage, an equestrian sport that shows a horse’s training through performances.

Decked-out in dressage gear, the highlight of Snoop’s visit was his interaction with the horses.

A man and a woman seated on the back of a golf cart.

Rapper Snoop Dogg (left) and celebrity chef Martha Stewart in their equestrian gear. Source: Getty, DPA / Picture Alliance/Rolf Vennenbernd

Four gold medals in five hours

A man wearing a green-and-gold tracksuit holds up a gold medal

Australian Matt Wearn won a gold medal in sailing on Thursday. Source: SIPA USA / Norbert Scanella – Panoramic / DPPI / IPA Sport 2 / ipa-agency.net

Australia has enjoyed its most successful Games ever in Paris.

The team made history by winning four gold and two bronze medals in over five hours on Thursday, making it their best-performing day yet.

On Thursday, Matt Wearn (sailing), Nina Kennedy (pole vault), Keegan Palmer (skateboarding) and the men’s pursuit team (cycling) added to the tally of 18 gold medals. Our previous best was 17 golds at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Australia is in third place in the total medal tally in Paris.

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