Tokyo 2020 – the best viral moments from the Olympics

As Tokyo 2020 comes to an end, we look back at some of the internet's favourite moments from the games...

Well, that was a whole lot of fun wasn't it. There were fears that the Olympics would lose their spark with the looming presence of Covid-19 in Japan and the lack of fans at events. But it's safe to say that once the action got underway, the athletes provided us with a reminder that this was still the greatest stage in sport, and they wanted to perform on it. Others will look back at the greatest performances and achievements from Tokyo. But here we're highlighting the more light-hearted moments, the ones that warmed our hearts, made us chuckle, and reaffirmed that there is a lot of happiness in the world still. So let's recap some of the best viral moments from this summer's games.

This Aussie swimming coach's passionate celebration

The first proper viral moment of these games, Dean Boxall will be forever remembered for his wild celebration. https://twitter.com/7olympics/status/1419487919665041408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1419487919665041408%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fsport%2Faustralian-swimming-coach-ariarne-titmus-gold-celebration-282084 https://twitter.com/tyson_whelan/status/1419485947029114885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1419485947029114885%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fsport%2Faustralian-swimming-coach-ariarne-titmus-gold-celebration-282084 He then repeated the feat just a couple of days later...

Tom Daley casually knitting at the diving

Was there anything more wholesome this summer than Tom Daley's knitting poolside? https://twitter.com/Olympics/status/1422111077945462792 The finished product looks pretty incredible as well.

Clare Balding complimenting a swimmer on his 'third leg'

Surely the funniest moment of the Olympics, this unintentional innuendo was almost too much for swimmers Tom Dean and Matthew Richards to deal with. She's talking about the third leg of the relay of course. https://twitter.com/OllieSamuels/status/1420691880552157185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1420691880552157185%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fnews%2Folympic-swimmers-barely-keep-it-together-after-clare-balding-compliments-third-leg-282641

The frosty reaction from the Jamaican sprinters to their teammates win

The women's 100m final was set to be one of the must-watch moments of the games. Even without British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, the field was still star-studded. But as Elaine Thompson Herah claimed the gold, the muted congratulations of her Jamaican teammates didn't go unnoticed. They don't even try to look happy for her.... https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1421455524739092485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1421455524739092485%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fjamaica-frosty-reaction-1-2-3-282883

This amazing interview from New Zealand sevens player Rubes Tui

The Olympics is brilliant because it introduces us to characters from across the world, with so many often just excited to be at a games and trying to enjoy every minute. New Zealand's Rubes Tui arguably provided the best interview of the whole Olympics with her joyful and cheeky chat to Jill Douglas... https://twitter.com/JoCurrie/status/1421045933156884483

Two golds in the high jump

Perhaps the Olympic spirit and what it means to athletes was never showcased more than when Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi decided to both take golds in the men's high jump. They had finished tied for first, and then couldn't be split in the sudden death jump-off. When Barshim asked whether they could simply call it there and agree to share the title, the duo jumped at the chance (pardon the pun) to both achieve their dream of a gold. And just look at what it means to them... https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1421876125781741577

Powerful gestures

Finally, a couple of moments that may have passed you by, but should not go unnoted. First, Costa Rican gymnast Luciana Alvarado who finished her floor routine with a tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement. https://twitter.com/very_berry99/status/1419377156795379713 And then shot putter Raven Saunders, who made an 'x' gesture on the podium despite a ban on such actions being allowed. This was investigated by the IOC. https://twitter.com/ajplus/status/1423034948571652096 Thank you to all involved in this games for providing us with an amazing spectacle of sport and human spirit. Let's do it all again at Paris 2024. Related links: Costa Rican gymnast ends Olympics floor routine by taking the knee Why Piers Morgan is so wrong about bronze – regards, Team GB! Galal Yafai enjoys touching moment with brother after winning gold for Team GB