The 2016 Olympics Thus Far: In Memes

Is it just me, or are these Olympics turning out to be a lot more ridiculous than years prior? From algae to mean mugging to sexism to racism to unintentional porn stars, the Internet is making sure that we don’t forget a single moment.

Just in case you’ve missed out on any of the already iconic moments from this year’s games, we’ve summed them up in the best way we know how: memes.

Here are the 7 most important memes thus far from the 2016 Olympics in Rio (and the stories behind them.)

1. Michael Phelps Grills Chad Le Clos

Here’s the picture that started it all. From comparisons to Kylo Ren to “that face when XXX” tweets, Phelps’ mean mug photo has been in the news for the past few weeks. Initially, the grimace was thought to be directed at Olympic rival, Chad Le Clos, who was standing just out of frame when the pic was snapped. However, Phelps has since commented that he was, “Just listening to music and getting in the zone. The face wasn’t at all directed toward Chad Le Clos.”

2. Divers or Porn Stars?

With strategically placed scores by media outlets, the internet quickly realized that quite a few male Olympic divers look a bit like porn stars. We’re not going to comment. We’re just going to leave these here.

3. Usain Bolt’s 100m Olympic Semi-Final and Ellen DeGeneres’ Response

Ellen DeGeneres slammed for #UsainBolt meme and here was her response: https://t.co/s6WcHjc7WT pic.twitter.com/ybbPG5VpPC

— The Root (@TheRoot) August 17, 2016

So Usain Bolt was insanely fast, is still insanely fast, and an Aussie photographer got photographic proof of it. And then Ellen DeGeneres’ photoshopped herself onto his back and tweeted “This is how I’m running errands from now on.” And it was racist and 70 kinds of messed up.

4. Simone Biles is The First Simone Biles

Simone Biles just snagged her fourth Olympic gold medal. She also is the center of some of the most stunning, graceful, and powerful photos we’ve ever laid eyes on. At 19 years old, she was getting a lot of media attention for being the “next Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt.” And she clapped back and set it straight. Images like the one above are popping up with the accompanying quote, “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I’m the first Simone Biles.”

5. Gabby Douglas’ Hair

Gabby Douglas just received an Olympic gold medal for the US Women’s Team All-Around. And the Internet was bullying her via Twitter and just about everywhere else about her hair. Are you kidding me, Internet? We need to have a sit-down. Douglas just received an Olympic gold medal. Put your pettiness away, please.

6. The Green Pool

One of these dogs swam in an Olympic pool

(via: reddit/OctagonSoup) pic.twitter.com/tbq5WJ18iR

— TheLADbible (@TheLadBible) August 16, 2016

We’ve got to give it to LADBible on this one. The Rio Olympics have been kind of a disaster hygiene-wise, but the Olympic diving pool turning an alarming shade of green had to take the cake for most embarrassing moment for organizers. Also, the entire room apparently smelled like a fart. That’s just not delightful.

7. Her Name is Corey Cogdell, Damn It.

Why can’t we celebrate women’s accomplishments w/o linking them to a man?
Her NAME is Corey Cogdell, Goddamnit pic.twitter.com/dARRY5Atd1

— Kerri Lyn (@GoddessKerriLyn) August 15, 2016

Yet another example of the frankly disgustingly sexist coverage of the Olympics in the mainstream media. In 2016. Thoroughly disappointing, but, again, the internet swooped in to do at least a bit of damage control. Thank you, Internet.

And that’s it! Did we miss any side-splitting or just damn important memes? Comment below and let us know!