Summary
Athletes at the 2024 Olympics have shown their love for anime like One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen, adding to the fun cultural moments. The athletes' anime references have demonstrated how anime extends beyond the screen, uniting fans from all walks of life across the globe. From wearing Luffy socks to striking iconic poses in Naruto and Haikyuu!!, the 2024 Olympics have highlighted the impact anime has had on athletes and fans alike.
The 2024 Summer Olympics were spectacular with their amazing athletic performances, but what made this year's Summer Olympics even more exciting for fans was the abundance of anime references made by athletes throughout the games. From athletes showing their love for the iconic series One Piece and Jujutsu Kasien to teams incorporating anime themes into their routines, there was a record amount of love for anime at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Many anime references provided fun and cultural moments throughout the Summer Olympics.
Anime fans around the world were able to cheer on the athletes as they referenced their favorite anime shows on one of the biggest sporting stages. This year's Olympics proved that anime's influence extends far beyond the screen and reaches across all walks of life.
Through both subtle allusions to anime and bold displays of love for anime, the number of anime references in the 2024 Summer Olympics shows that anime has become a major part of global pop culture.
10 Colombian Weightlifter Mari Leivis Wears Luffy Socks at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Mari Leivis Sanchez mentioned One Piece through her outfit
The weightlifter not only channels one of her favorite anime series, but also symbolizes One Piece's signature adventurous spirit through her bold sock choice.
One of the funniest and most recognizable anime references comes from a Colombian weightlifter named Mari Leivis Sanchesz showed her love for One Piece by wearing socks featuring the series' main character, Monkey D. Luffy.. These socks, which depict Luffy in a variety of iconic poses, quickly became a viral phenomenon. The weightlifter not only embodied one of her favorite anime series, but also symbolized the adventurous spirit that One Piece is known for through her bold sock choice.
9 Yusuf Dikeç and Kim Yeji reference Jujutsu Kaisen with their shooting stance
These Olympians pose like Toji and Gojo during their Olympic shooting match
The shooting events at the 2024 Summer Olympics saw a tribute to some of Jujutsu Kaisen's most famous figures as Yusuf Dikeç and Kim Yeji, representing Turkey and South Korea, mimicked the iconic poses of Toji Fushiguro and Satoru Gojo. While executing their shots, both athletes posed in the same way that Toji and Gojo did when executing their own shots, using the intensity and focus required for the sport and moments from the anime. Their playful yet serious nod to Jujutusu Kaisen gave anime fans more entertainment and more investment in the Olympic shooting competition..
8 Noah Lyles brought a Yu-Gi-Oh! card for his qualifying race
The cards are said to bring him luck and power.
Track star Noah Lyles made headlines not only for his speed, but also for carrying a deck of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards during his Olympic qualifying race. Lyles has been open about his love of the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime and card games throughout his racing career, but this Olympic season, he revealed that he carries the cards as a good luck charm, believing that they give him powers similar to those of the anime characters.
The sight of Lyles holding up his cards caught the attention of the media and anime fans.showcases Noah Lyle's intense love for the anime genre and his unique way of staying focused and motivated throughout races.
7 Spanish Olympic Triple Jump Champion Mentions Attack On Titan Twice
Jordan Alejandro Diaz Fortun poses as Shinzou Wo Sasageyo and mimics Eren's Titan transformation by biting his hand
Jordan Alejandro Diaz Fortun, the triple jump champion from Spain, not only won the gold medal but also captured the hearts of Attack on Titan fans around the world. After winning, Fortun struck the iconic “Shinzou wo Sasageyo” pose, a tribute to Attack on Titan’s Survey Corps. Adding to the excitement of Attack on Titan, Fortun is also seen biting his hand, mimicking Eren Yeager's Titan transformation.. These very recognizable gestures, made after Forun's victory, show his love for the anime series Attack on Titan and its themes of sacrifice and strength.
6 Miltiadis Tentoglou mentioned the famous Luffy pose
In the men's long jump competition, Tentoglou performed the Luffy Gear Five pose.
Greek long jumper Miltiadis Tentoglou thrilled the crowd not only with his impressive jump but also with his wit and humor when it came to One Piece. Before his final jump, Tentoglou struck the Luffy Gear Five pose, drawing cheers from One Piece fans in the crowd and around the world. This pose, associated with Luffy's strength and character development, also symbolizes Tentoglou's determination to overcome his limits.like Luffy. His performance, combined with the One Piece tribute, made for a memorable Olympic moment.
5 Payton Otterdahl mentioned another famous Luffy pose
Otterdahl of the United States performed Luffy Gear 4 transformation pose
Otterdahl, known for his fun personality, explains that this stance helps him build up and impart the explosive energy needed for his throws.
Another Olympian One Piece Fan Named Payton Otterdahl added his own anime reference by mimicking Luffy's Gear Four transformation during his shot put event debut. Otterdahl, known for his cheerfulness, explained that this stance helps him gain strength and impart the explosive power needed for his throws. This reference is not only a delight for anime fans, but also shows how Luffy from One Piece has been a huge influence on athletes seeking strength and perseverance.
4 Japanese synchronized swimming teams play NieR:Automata soundtrack during their practice
Japanese Swim Team References NieR:Automata Through Their Music Choice
The Japanese synchronized swimming team took a creative approach to their anime references by incorporating the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack of NieR:Automata into their performance. NieR:Automata's music is known for its depth and connection to the anime's themes of humanity and existentialism.
This style of music creates a great backdrop for the synchronized movements of the teams. This artistic and creative reference to NieR: Automata showcased the Japanese team's ability to combine athletic performance with anime homage in a way that was engaging and fan-favorite..
3 French fencing team posing for a Kamehameha group
This team won the bronze medal and mentioned Goku.
This happy moment shows the French Fencing Team's great friendship and love for Dragon Ball, one of the most influential anime series in history.
The French fencing team, after winning the bronze medal, decided to celebrate with a pose that almost every anime fan will recognize.: a group Kamehameha. Inspired by Dragon Ball, the team lines up and performs the famous energy attack, symbolizing the victory of unity and the strength of the group. This happy moment shows the great friendship and love of the French Fencing Team for Dragon Ball, one of the most influential anime series in history.
2 The Japanese men's volleyball team played one of the opening theme songs of Haikyuu!!
After their victory over Argentina, the Japanese men's volleyball team mentioned Haikyuu!!
Following their thrilling victory over Argentina, the Japanese Men's Volleyball Team paid tribute to the anime Haikyuu!! by playing one of its opening theme songs during their celebration. Haikyuu!!, which follows a group of high school volleyball players, has been an inspiration to many athletes since its release. The team's choice to include the song “Fly High!!” shows their connection to the series and the impact Haikyuu!! has had on the popularity of volleyball in Japan and beyond.
This anime reference led to the Japanese Men's Volleyball Team receiving a hilarious illustration from Haruichi Furudate, the author of Haikyuu!!. Although the team ultimately lost to Italy in the quarterfinals, this heartwarming illustration from Furudate shows their great effort during the matches and how popular Haikyuu!! is in the volleyball world.
1 Noah Lyles poses with a dragon ball and references Jujutsu Kaisen
Noah Lyles Expands Kamehameha and Gojo Domains
Noah Lyles made two more anime references during his Olympic run from two of his other favorite anime series, Dragon Ball and Jujutsu Kaisen. Before and after winning his races, Lyles strikes two different anime poses, one mimicking Gojo's Expanding Domain gesture, followed by a Kamehameha pose. This double reference to two of Shonen Jump's biggest anime series, showing Lyle's deep love for anime and his cheerful nature, makes him an athlete that anime fans can root for.
The 2024 Summer Olympics will be remembered for both the incredible athletes who competed and the unforgettable anime references that brought joy to anime fans around the world. These moments show how deeply anime culture has been embedded in the lives of many athletes, serving as a source of inspiration for them and a way to connect with others. As anime continues to grow in popularity around the world, It's clear that anime's influence will be even greater at the next Olympic Games..