Crack shot
It might not yet be raining Olympic medals for the Indian contingent despite their dedicated efforts but the the Indian Minister for Sports, Vijay Goel, has already bagged the award for the most controversial minister at the Rio Olympics.
Goel believes that as part of his ministerial duties he needs to chase after Olympians for selfies. Unfortunately for him, the Rio Olympics committee does not share his enthusiasm for the photo op.
The minister was pulled up by the organisers for his unruly behaviour though he has categorically denied being a part of any controversy.
To my knowledge, we have been following all rules & regulations. We are committed to the spirit of Olympics & back our Indian players. (1/2)
— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) August 11, 2016
There seems to be some misunderstanding as we have followed all protocols as advised by the organizers. ( 2/2 )
— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) August 11, 2016
But other Indians did not take too kindly to the minister's actions.
I'm waiting for India to get a medal.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) August 11, 2016
Third place? Nice. Second place? Super.
But, tell me, why is Vijay Goel in Brazil in the first place?
Do you have any shame @VijayGoelBJP ??
— Nilim Dutta (@NilimDutta) August 11, 2016
Rio isn't your neighbourhood Shakha to behave like RSS thugs. pic.twitter.com/99sRVVSelP
Posing for peace
Unlike the Indian sports minister, gymnasts Lee Eun-Ju, 17, from South Korea and Hong Un Jong, 27, from North Korea, put their selfie skills to use for the good of diplomacy. The athletes by posing for a photo have managed to achieve the impossible – sports diplomacy between the two nations. Though the two countries might technically be at war, this distinctly non-politicised action goes to prove that that there is still hope in this world for harmony.
According to the BBC, The gymnast will not be getting into any trouble as North Korea has been pursuing "sports diplomacy" as a matter of national policy since the 1980s.
Gymnasts from North & South Korea take a selfie together. This is why we do the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/Id44OuehN3
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) August 5, 2016
by the way this is ICONIC but i can only hope it was approved by the DPRK or Hong Un-jong is in a LOT of trouble https://t.co/vcOdJUebg9
— Emma Blackery (@emmablackery) August 10, 2016
Is Google being sexist?
American cyclist Kristin Armstrong recently won her third gold medal following which she was part of the top trending search on Wednesday, according to Google. People were also searching for "Kristin Armstrong Lance Armstrong" – though the two are not related.
Kristin Armstrong also become the only cyclist – male or female – to win three consecutive golds in the same discipline.
Google tweeted out a graphic as she "rocketed past searches" for astronaut Neil Armstrong.
Three golds send Kristin Armstrong rocketing past searches for Neil Armstrong as she sets a cycling record #Olympics pic.twitter.com/CJwiO7ZxD4
— Google (@google) August 12, 2016
Social media was a little baffled at the casual sexism on display.
@google So a woman getting more Google searches than her male namesake is “one giant leap for woman kind”? OK, I guess…?
— Qbe Root (@Qbe_Root) August 12, 2016
@google really tired of this gendered stupidity.
— Francisco J Carriedo (@fcarriedo) August 12, 2016
#AlarmCall
How are viewers, the world over, staying awake for the round-the-clock coverage of the Rio olympics? The answer can be found in the pictures being tweeted out by Twitterati. The fans are sharing pictures of the best #AlarmCall for staying up during the Rio Olympics.
No #alarmcall needed tonight! Rocking my #Riocolours.. @BBCOlympicsHD pic.twitter.com/7lzQmYaFpW
— Chelsey White (@chelseywhite4) August 12, 2016
These Olympics are making me a zombie 😂 up til 4:30am every night.. Awake at 9 for work 👌🏽 #LikeABoss #AlarmCall pic.twitter.com/Q5W2AKPGy8
— rav norris (@RavNorris) August 12, 2016
Swiping right at the Olympics
The International Olympic Committee has decided to provide 450,000 condoms (which comes to 42 per athlete) in Rio's Olympic Village. The stash includes 100,000 female condoms, 175,000 packages of lubricant, as well as 350,000 standard condoms.
One reason for the increased number of condoms in Brazil could be fears of Zika which can cause microcephaly – a birth defect where babies are born with smaller than usual heads.
When it comes to sexual health, the sandy beaches of Brazil are not going to be a place to just "Olympics and chill".
Every time Walsh and Ross get a point, I'll swipe right on a guy on Tinder. #Olympics
— Dvora Meyers (@DvoraMeyers) August 11, 2016
But seriously can you even imagine Olympic Village Tinder? I'm having chest pains just thinking about it. #Olympics
— Heather Foley (@HotelFoxtrot) August 12, 2016