The Olympic Games have always been a platform where people of diverse cultures celebrate global unity, all with regard to sports, but in recent years, the influence of anime has somehow seeped into this prestigious event in interesting ways. From grand opening ceremonies to the moments of competition, anime references have captured the attention of both athletes and audiences alike.
These references to popular anime series not only highlight the intersection of sports and pop culture but also resonates with a younger generation that loves and cherishes anime. In this article, we will explore instances where anime has left its mark on the Olympics, showcasing how this beloved art form has transcended boundaries to enrich the spirit of the Games.
Noah Lyes is the “World’s Fastest Anime Fan”
In the 2024 Olympics, the sprinter Noah Lyes won the men’s 100m finals, making him one of the fastest men in the world. After his narrow win against Kishane Thompson, who was just 0.005 seconds behind him, the sprinter struck a pose, mimicking the Dragon Ball move: “Kamehameha”, thereby revealing his love for anime to the public.
When the Author of Dragon Ball died, he made an Instagram post dedicated to him, pouring his heart and soul out while trying to express how much of an inspiration Akira Toriyama is.
2021 Olympics Featured Many Anime Theme Songs
The Archery Event:
The archery events in the 2021 Olympics that took place in Tokyo had “Guren No Yumiya” (from Attack on Titan) and “Gurenge” by LiSA (from Demon Slayer).
The Basketball and Volleyball matches:
The Slam Dunk! opening theme was played during the women’s basketball match and the Haikyuu! theme was playing for men’s volleyball matches.
The 2021 Olympics was quite interesting for anime fans as they were on the lookout for which anime theme they’d play each day. It had been noticed that the opening theme from ZOIDS was played on the first day of the Tokyo Olympics.
The One Piece Poses
Besides the anime music, there have also been instances where some athletes were found doing poses, particularly those in One Piece. The shot putter Payton Otterdahl recreated the pose of Franky: the fist in air pose.
Furthermore, the Greek Long Jumper, Miltiadis Tentoglou, did a Luffy second gear pose, and Massimo Stano, an Italian athlete, did Luffy’s third gear pose.
The pose made by Payton Otterdahl has been recognized by the One Piece staff, and they acknowledged him as a “Nakama” (comrade).
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Avatar: The Last Airbender References
The Dutch Olympic athlete Kiran Badloe decided to change his appearance as a tribute to Aang from Avatar. He recreated the arrow tattoo on Aang’s head by shaving his hair in the same shape, and colored it blue.
He said he would use the power of the winds to make his accomplishments (he is a windsurfer so this makes sense). This was clearly a reference to Avatar: The Last Airbender. These words weren’t just for show, as he is a 3-time consecutive winner at the Olympics
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Ironically, Kiran Badloe wasn’t the only one to make an Avatar reference at the Olympics. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Nuria Diosdado and Joana Jimenez wore black and white swimsuits that bore the fishes Tui and La, the koi fishes from Avatar.
The Paris Olympics 2024
The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, is taking place in Paris, France, which started on July 26, marking the city’s third time hosting the event. So, 2024 Olympics has seen its 12th day so far.
The Games feature a diverse array of sports, including traditional events like athletics and swimming, alongside newer additions such as skateboarding and sport climbing. The Paris Olympics 2024 celebrates not only athletic excellence but also the rich culture and heritage of France, making it a memorable event for athletes and spectators alike.
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