When a sports moment captures the world, it transcends its sport and becomes a cultural touchstone. Whether it is Michael Jordan’s tears, Dell Curry’s genetics or the NBA’s avatar-building that turns its players into symbols and paragons, there are moments in the game that are so awe-inducing that they leave everyone in attendance—from athletes to spectators—in disbelief, amazement and utter joy.
Viral sports moments are a rare thing indeed and can take many forms, from an athlete’s impromptu dance-off to a sports league mascot going bonkers or a star athlete showing some skin on social media. But there are certain criteria that any viral sports moment must meet to be considered one of the best. These include the Awe Factor, the Ubiquity Factor, the Holy Shit! Factor and the Will You Talk About This in 25 Years? Factor.
This Olympic Games was no exception, with head-scratching moments all over the place. From the casual Turkish shooter to the polarizing performances of Rachael Gunn, this year’s Olympics has had plenty to get people talking.
There were also a few off-field moments that went viral this year, including a darts player’s drunken antics and the slapdown between former heavyweight champions Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. Trying to pick the best ones is a tough task, but these wacky moments captured the lighter side of sport and got people talking.