- Surnames of some Olympic athletes has been a talking point
- Notably Germany’s Robert Farken and Australia’s Ollie Hoare
- Track stars raced one another in 1500m heat in hilarious scenes
- German double sculls rower Julius Christ also a fan favourite in Paris
When it comes to the Olympics, sometimes who wins gold medals isn’t the sole focus for sporting fans across the world.
Many eagle-eyed supporters have been quick to spot some unfortunate – yet hilarious – coming together of athletes’ surnames at the worst possible time in Paris.
Be it German double sculls rower Julius Christ – shortened to J.Christ in competition mode – or his compatriot in the athletics Robert Farken, sometimes it is impossible not to have a giggle.
Taking to X, Aussie comedian Danny McGinlay mocked ’J. Christ’, posting: ‘Surely one of these blokes has an unfair advantage on the water?’
‘All that water about to turn into wine’, quipped another.
And when Farken raced Aussie Oliver Hoare in the heats of the 1500m, the gag wrote itself, especially when the track stars featured side by side during and post the race.
On Reddit, Games supporters had a field day when it came to Farken and Hoare on the purple track together in Paris.
‘They [runners] planned that all along,’ one supporter joked. Another said: ‘haha, that’s a good one.’
When it comes to the Olympics, sometimes who wins the gold medals isn’t the sole focus for sporting fans across the world (pictured, track stars Robert Farken from Germany and Australia’s Oliver Hoare)
German rower Julius Christ (left) has also been a fan favourite during the Paris Games
Daoyi Long and Zongyuan Wang of China after winning gold in the Men’s Synchronised 3 metre Springboard event
When in competition mode, the Chinese stars were an easy target for cheeky fans on social media
The fun also spread to the diving where two Chinese divers had the surnames Long and Wang when competing as a pair.
Ironically, they had the last laugh, winning gold in the Men’s Synchronised 3m Springboard event.
And incredibly, during the swimming Canadian star Mary-Sophie Harvey was paired in a lane next to America’s Claire Weinstein.
Harvey Weinstein is a famed American film producer – but also a convicted sex offender following sordid conduct when he was a key player in Hollywood.
Canadian swimming fan Emma Sachs spoke for many when she tweeted: ‘maybe shouldn’t have put USA and Canada next to each other here.’
The Paris Games run until August 11 – so there is still plenty of time for athletes to entertain viewers – regardless if they finish with a medal.
