Olympics: Rugby Sevens-July 31
Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

As the 2024 Paris Olympics approach, athletes are gearing up not just for their chance at gold, but also for the opportunity to gain viral fame.

The Games offer a unique platform for Olympians to connect with fans and grow their social media presence – which can be extremely lucrative. Here are some of the athletes who are hoping to bring home more followers than medals.

Rugby Players Getting Rough on TikTok

American rugby player Ilona Maher went viral during the Tokyo Olympics and now boasts more than a million followers on TikTok. Despite rugby having less traction in the U.S., Maher has leveraged her Olympic fame to build a substantial online following.

Her success story serves as an inspiration for other athletes looking to make their mark on social media.

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Following in her teammate Maher’s footsteps, Ariana Ramsey aims to build her online persona in Paris. Ramsey plans to produce four videos each day during the Games, hoping to capture relevant and engaging content for her followers.

With aspirations to start her own athletic apparel brand, Ramsey uses social media to supplement her income through brand deals and sponsored posts.

Rowing for Clout

Kate Johnson, Google’s global marketing director for sports, entertainment, and content partnerships, highlights the opportunities for athletes to gain traction online.

Johnson, a silver medalist rower from the 2004 Athens Olympics, emphasizes that athletes don’t need to be top-tier stars to succeed on social media. Unique stories and content can attract brand deals and fan engagement.

Visa and Samsung Pitching in

To help athletes navigate the social media landscape, Visa offered a masterclass in digital storytelling and engagement to their “Team Visa” athletes. Led by social media creators, this course provided practical instruction on using platforms like TikTok and creating engaging content.

According to Reuters, Samsung Electronics is equipping every athlete at the Paris Games with an Olympic Edition of their new flip phone, enhancing their ability to capture and share their Olympic experiences.

To protect athletes from cyberbullying, sportswear brand Asics partnered with data science company Signify, aiming to safeguard athletes’ mental health as they engage with their followers.

The Impact of Social Media on Athletes— a Distraction From the Point?

Rugby player Ilona Maher, with more than 590,000 Instagram followers, acknowledges the presence of “trolls” on social media. Despite the challenges, she views her online presence as a means to an end, appreciating the opportunities it has brought her.

“Do I wish I had to do it? No,” Maher said. “But I love what it’s done for me.”

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Remso W. Martinez is a contributor to Bounding Into Sports. He's a Brazilian JiuJitsu practitioner and baseball fan based... More about Remso Martinez

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