Every edition of the Olympic Games offers lessons, and Paris 2024 provided us with something worth cherishing. Beyond the exhausting debates, there were some key takeaway moments we should hold onto.
Podium Worship
This isn't just about the crowd's adulation of sports heroes, but about athletes showing respect for their opponents. The trend began when Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Rebeca Andrade was honored by U.S. superstar gymnast Simone Biles, who took silver, and her teammate Jordan Chiles, who earned bronze, after the women's gymnastics floor final. Biles and Chiles bowed to Andrade on the podium, marking the first all-Black podium in the history of men's and women's gymnastics.
It was Chiles who suggested the gesture to acknowledge Andrade's gold, and, during a press conference, Biles, the world's most decorated gymnast, remarked that the viral moment, which even had the Louvre considering it for a spot near the Mona Lisa, "was just the right thing to do" (unfortunately for Chiles, she may have to return her bronze medal, which will be reallocated to Romania's Ana Bărbosu after a court ruled that the correction to Chiles' score, which placed her on the podium, was submitted too late by her coach; USA Gymnastics is disputing the decision).
Podium worship continued on Sunday, the closing day of the Olympic Games, when Li Wenwen of China lifted a total of 309kg to win gold, Korea's Park Hye-jeong took silver with 299kg, and Great Britain's Emily Campbell achieved a career-best combined total of 288kg for bronze. On the podium, while Li jumped in the air, Park and Campbell happily posed with their arms outstretched in celebration of the gold medalist.
In both instances, the athletes embodied the spirit of the games - healthy competition, sportsmanship, and mutual support. Rooting for each other and celebrating someone else's victory is a lesson we can apply beyond sports.
Today, schools and universities often foster unhealthy competition but rarely teach how to lose or celebrate others' successes and achievements. In fashion schools and the highly competitive fashion industry, this is almost unheard of, it seems that generating more resentment, envy, and stress tends indeed to fuel the industry. Can we make podium worship a healthy trend? Hopefully. Let's learn to celebrate each other in a positive way.
Lessons in resilience
Breakdancing, or breaking, didn't get the recognition it deserved at the Olympic Games, and the discipline is sadly set to be dropped from Los Angeles 2028. Unfortunately, much of this year's coverage focused on mocking Australian athlete B-girl Raygun, that is 36-year-old university lecturer Rachael Gunn, who didn't score any points for her style in the battles.
However, breaking provided us with other lessons: Olympic refugee breakdancer Manizha Talash, known as B-girl Talash, revealed a "Free Afghan Women" cape, giving a message to her country like Afghanistan's 100m sprinter Kimia Yousofi also did.
Talash was born in Afghanistan but fled the country in 2021 after the Taliban returned to power and sought asylum in Spain. Talash was disqualified from the competition for displaying the political slogan as political statements and slogans are banned on the field of play and on podiums at the Olympics.
Breaking also showcased a performance by the Canadian dance company ILL-Abilities, which features B-boys with their own physical challenges. Among them is B-boy Luca "Lazylegz" Patuelli, who is also a motivational speaker. Born with arthrogryposis, a neuromuscular disorder that causes curved joints and muscle shortening, Patuelli dances on crutches.
In hip hop culture, "ill" indicates something impressive, so "ILL-Abilities" reflects exceptional abilities and the crew definitely showed them during their performance. ILL-Abilities will perform at the opening of the 2024 Paralympic Games on August 28th, and we can only hope they will remind us that being different can be a strength, that dance can take many forms and that everyone has something great to contribute to the world.
An unlikely mascot spreading upbeat energy & good vibes
A gold medal for the most unlikely mascot of the Paris 2024 Games goes to rapper Snoop Dogg. Serving as a primetime Olympics correspondent for US TV network NBC, just as he did during the Tokyo Games in 2021, and acting as Team USA's hype man, the hip-hop star spread positive vibes while watching competitions and exploring Paris.
More like a Team USA cheerleader, Snoop Dogg was ubiquitous - photographed modeling the Team USA parade uniform designed by Ralph Lauren, carrying the Olympic flame through its final stages in Saint-Denis, and offering commentary on various events.
Snoop freestyled on occasion, paid visits to athletes in the Olympic village, met their families and visited the Louvre. He also opened the b-girls' pre-qualifier battle with "les trois coups," the traditional three blows struck on the ground with a baton to signal the start of a show in French theaters. His presence extended to watching competitions alongside different athletes.
During a qualifying round, Team USA women's gymnastics stars Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles pointed to someone in the crowd and started dancing. The cameras revealed it was Snoop, standing in the first row and showing off his moves, decked out in his trademark sunglasses and a white Team USA jacket (with a Biles T-shirt underneath, as he later revealed View this photo).
In a promotional video for the games, Snoop had a special swimming lesson with Michael Phelps. The Olympic icon explained him that Olympic-level success in the pool requires wingspan and lung power. "You just described me!" Snoop responded, "I definitely have great lung power," humorously referring to his love of marijuana. And, talking about this passion, Snoop's Olympic pin, featuring the rapper blowing marijuana smoke rings in the shape of the Games' five rings, became one of the most sought-after accessories of the Games (View this photo).
Snoop often went viral for his customized kits and sneakers, shirts featuring Olympic athletes and necklaces adorned with the five Olympic rings or the Eiffel Tower. Snoop reached peak method dressing when he showed up at the dressage event in full equestrian garb, alongside his friend, lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, complete with jodhpurs, boots, a blazer, and a riding helmet.
Embodying the feel-good spirit of the Paris Olympics, the rapper also appeared at the end of the closing ceremony during the music segment from Los Angeles, which featured the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Billie Eilish, celebrating the Olympic Torch being passed from Paris 2024 to Los Angeles 2028. Clad in Team USA gear, he performed "Drop It Like It's Hot" and "The Next Episode" featuring Dr. Dre.
What made Snoop Dogg stand out was the genuine joy he brought to every moment, whether cheering on athletes or spreading optimism. His impressed expression while watching Simone Biles during the women's qualification rounds in artistic gymnastics on day two mirrored the awe we all felt watching her defy gravity.
NBC's strategy of enlisting a celebrity with such enthusiasm to draw younger viewers was a win. Now, other countries may have to find equally enthusiastic mascots for the next Olympics.
A comparison comes to mind: fashion ambassadors may look extraordinarily cool and beautiful, but often seem like lifeless mannequins at runway shows, sitting in the front row with serious faces and reminding us that fashion is serious business for beautiful people. Perhaps they could take a cue from an unlikely mascot like Snoop Dogg - if you're going to be an ambassador, at least be enthusiastic, and use your role to spread upbeat energy and good vibes.
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