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Meredith Chen

In the digital age, athletes are not just sports stars but social media influencers. Many competitors boast impressive online followings, engaging fans with training insights, personal stories and behind-the-scenes glimpses.
Here are some of the Olympians who could be set to make waves in Paris both in the sporting arena and online.
Alexis Jandard (diving)
Jandard went viral in April when he fell off the diving board in front of French President Emmanuel Macron during an Olympic pool inauguration.
He won medals at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships and also competed at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

But preparing to dive off the three-metre springboard alongside two other divers, the 27-year-old slipped, lost his balance, landed on his back and bounced off the board, while the divers next to him performed their twisting dives neatly.
Rather than be disheartened, he surfed the wave of mockery. “I slipped, boss,” he posted on his Instagram (@alexis_jandard), referencing a quote from the French war-comedy movie series La Septieme Compagnie, in which a soldier frequently trips over.
The post also came with a “social media vs reality” video, contrasting his slip with his successful diving training. “My back is fine but my ego…,” Jandard joked on X, formerly Twitter.
He even recorded a tutorial titled “How to Perfectly Mess Up Your Dive?” that has been viewed more than 805,000 times on Instagram.
His witty self-deprecation showed personality and he now has more than 150,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok combined.
Coco Gauff
In addition to being a tennis sensation, Coco Gauff has set up a unique connection with her fans. The 20-year-old was famous for being vocal on social and political issues, leveraging her platforms to advocate for social justice.
“People always say, sports and politics should stay separate and all this. And I say yes, but also at the same time I’m a human first before I’m a tennis player,” said Gauff, who has 1.7 million followers on Instagram.
Competing at her first Olympic Games in the French capital, she is also becoming the youngest flag bearer at Friday’s opening ceremony in US history, joining basketball superstar LeBron James, who was selected as the male flag bearer.
Ilona Maher
A breakout presence on the field and online during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, American rugby union player Ilona Maher now boasts 1.3 million followers on TikTok and 871,000 on Instagram (@ilonamaher).
She started posting TikTok videos as a way to reach out to other Olympians when Covid protocols in Tokyo prevented her from meeting other athletes in the Olympic Village.
She gave fans a front-row seat to the fun with her witty and engaging recordings inside the village’s rooms and dining halls.
The clips capture her having fun with her teammates, mooning over the skateboarding team and testing the village’s infamous cardboard beds, which attracted millions of views.

Authenticity has been the 27-year-old’s brand. “People are always like, you’re so unapologetically yourself,” she said. “And I’m like, what is everybody else doing out here? I don’t even try to be that. It’s just how I am.”
Sunisa Lee
By the age of 21, the American artistic gymnast was a favourite on social media, with 1.7 million followers on Instagram (@sunisalee) and 1.7 million fans on TikTok.
The defending Olympic all-around champion had a difficult year preceding Paris because of kidney-related health issues.

But her social media posts featuring her training and personal routines still delivered her youthful disposition and genuine joy, much as she looked during competitions.
Quan Hongchan
Quan Hongchan became China’s newest diving sensation after she won the 10m platform gold at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in 2021.
The then 14-year-old Guangdong native’s endearing simplicity, shyness and playful persona in media interviews won the hearts of millions on Chinese social media.

The teenager burst into giggles after winning the gold medal, telling reporters that she would be celebrating by eating a spicy Chinese snack called Latiao.
“I want to eat my favourite snacks as much as possible, and I want to go to the amusement park and play the doll-grasp machine,” she said.
“I had a wish to own a small grocery store in my hometown, but now my dream is upgraded to a supermarket full of snacks.”
Her story touched many people after she said she took up diving to pay her sick mother’s bills. Some fans even caused controversy by reportedly travelling to her Maihe village home to take videos and photos.


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Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Paris Olympics: 5 athletes to follow on social media, from Quan Hongchan to Coco Gauff

Chinese diver Quan Hongchan won gold at the Tokyo Olympics on her way to becoming a hit online. Photo: Reuters

Footage shows French diver Alexis Jandard slipping during the demonstration in April. Photo: AFP

Ilona Maher takes a selfie with fans at this year’s Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Sun Yeung

Sunisa Lee won gymnastics all-around gold at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Quan Hongchan made a splash at last year’s Asian Games with her toy turtle accessories. Photo: Xinhua

Asian Games 2023: Chinese fans love ‘adorable’ teen diver Quan Hongchan and the ‘zoo hanging off her backpack’ at airport

Quan Hongchan at the airport with a backpack covered in turtle toys. Photo: Weibo

Fans in Hangzhou show off their turtle toys to Quan Hongchan of China’s diving team. Photo: Migu Sports

Chinese diver Quan Hongchan wears both her gold medal and her satchel of turtles. Photo: Migu Sports

Asian Games 2023’s most heartwarming moments as Chinese teen diver Quan Hongchan regifts turtle toy to coach

Teen diving sensation Quan Hongchan won gold for China on Tuesday, and more hearts by regifting a turtle toy thrown from a fan to her coach. Photo: Weibo

Quan Hongchan at the medal ceremony after winning gold in the women’s 10m platform diving event. Photo: Xinhua

Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekistan acknowledges the adoring crowd showing their support. Photo: Xinhua

Quan Hongchan wins gold at Fina Diving World Cup, Chinese fans marvel as ‘little girl grows up’

Quan Hongchan (right) and Chen Yuxi of China pose during the medal ceremony after the Women’s 10m Synchronised final at the FINA Diving World Cup in Xian. Photo: Xinhua

Quan Hongchan (second right) and Chen Yuxi (second left) of China celebrated after the final. Photo: Xinhua

Quan Hongchan (right) and Chen Yuxi of China compete during the women’s 10m synchronised final at the FINA Diving World Cup in Xian. Photo: Xinhua

Quan Hongchan of China poses for photos during the medal ceremony for the women’s 10m platform final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photo: Xinhua

Tokyo champ Quan Hongchan in line for US$1 million bonus after Xian golds

Gold medallist Quan Hongchan of China after winning the 10m platform at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Paris Olympics 2024

The Buzz

Chinese diver Quan has won hearts since her Tokyo Games gold, while tennis star Gauff is the youngest US flag bearer ever


Chinese diver Quan has won hearts since her Tokyo Games gold, while tennis star Gauff is the youngest US flag bearer ever.


Quan Hongchan

Sunisa Lee