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‘TELL me you’re in the Olympics Village without telling me you’re in the Olympics Village’ has now become the rising trend in these unprecedented times.
Although Covid-19 has left Tokyo stadiums empty of cheering fans, social media has come to the rescue by connecting athletes to their fans in a virtual space.
In fact, supporters are getting a better perspective of their sporting idols as more and more athletes take to TIkTok to share their Olympic journey on the popular social media platform.
Followers can now tune into the trials and tribulations of athletes in the Olympic Village beyond what they would experience first-hand during their competitions.
Such moments range from showcasing the basic commodities around the village, as what the Great Britain rowers had done: @rowtotokyo, to giving viewers a personal tour of the village on self-driving buses: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZGJSctkuq/
Australian water polo star, Tilly Kearns, took to social media to share a meal with followers while showcasing the SOPs practised within the village: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZGJSc5pXJ/ while Japanese fencer, Kaito Streets, gave his followers a peek into what the in-house barbershop looks like − talk about dressing to impress a worldwide audience! https://vt.tiktok.com/ZGJScVkMv/
New Zealand swimmer, Lewis Clareburt, demonstrated what he and his team did to pass the time, which included testing outdoor exercise equipment: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZGJScmcMX/ and showcased the part that would make any sports enthusiast green with envy − getting custom-made Asics shoes absolutely free! https://vt.tiktok.com/ZGJSc4svA/
Last but not least, are video posts on the infamous cardboard beds that hit social media early on in the Olympic season. While we do get some informational videos on these respective beds from American rugby player, Ilona Maher: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZGJScPqM9/, we also get a glimpse of the comedic side of athletes, especially when Australian diver, Sam Fricker, shares a reactionary video of his fellow teammate breaking one of the beds: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZGJSc4r2B/
Since the surge of Covid-19, social media platforms, such as TikTok have risen in popularity. In fact, their presence appears to fill an essential need in the community, notwithstanding the fact that it’s a great tool for fans and supporters to keep abreast on the ins-and-outs of their favourite athletes: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZGJSc9FoS/
Not only have athletes been using TikTok as a means of sharing their journey outside of sports, but they have also used the application to showcase their tier trainings and preparation for the Olympics: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZGJS3DsPC/
The Tokyo Olympics may have had to resort to fans and supporters connecting to their favourite athletes in a virtual manner. Yet, in a peculiar 21st century sort of way, this virtual-based fanbase seems to be more connected to their sporting icons than they could in the past, and it’s all thanks to the power of social media. − The Vibes, July 28, 2021
