Why is American rapper Flavor Flav at the Paris Olympics and spending time with the USA Water Polo team? Let us explain.

When it comes to things that make you go “whaa?”, the Olympics are a harvest season of true abundance, a point that’s even more driven home by this year’s featuring stuff that’s extremely, what’s the word, French. From headless Marie Antoinette metal performances to Stranger Things-meets-Phantom of the Opera opening ceremonies, there’s no shortage of curios so far at this year’s Paris Olympiad. 

Flavor Flav is at the Paris Olympics

However, if you’ve been watching any of the water polo events so far, you may have noticed a recognizable figure who seems lost and, knowing him, very well might have been. 

Yes, rap legend Flavor Flav has been ever-present at the US polo events. You’ve undoubtedly caught a glimpse during the broadcast so far and thought, “wait, shouldn’t he be wearing comically large clock necklaces somewhere?”

However, Flav’s presence is of a more official manner than you might imagine. And it’s fantastic. 

How Flavor Flav got involved with Olympic Water Polo

On May 4th, water polo Olympian Maggie Steffens posted on Instagram that revealed how many Olympic athletes hold second and third jobs to help achieve their medal dreams. 

Below that post was a comment by Flav, who wrote, “AYYY YOOO,,, as a girl dad and supporter of all women’s sports—imma personally sponsor you my girl,,, whatever you need.” 

“And imma sponsor the whole team,” he added. “My manager is in touch with your agent and imma use all my relationships and resources to help all y’all even more. That’s a FLAVOR FLAV promise.”

How good is a Flavor Flav promise, you ask? As good as its weight in gold clock necklaces, because on July 1st, Flavor Flav officially signed a five-year sponsorship deal with USA Water Polo to cover the men’s and women’s water polo teams.

Flav spoke to NBC Olympics in May to explain more of his reasoning behind the support. “For me doing this, I ain’t gonna lie, to me this is one of the biggest things that I feel that I could have ever done in life, outside of the other accomplishments that I’ve made to music,” he said. “By sponsoring a water polo team and helping these girls out, this is bigger than me winning a Grammy.”

It’s all pretty awesome and Flav looks like he’s having the time of his damn life cheering on the team, encouraging other celebrities to do the same, and even hanging out with First Lady Jill Biden.

Flav’s also not content to just cheer from the sidelines. The man wants in on the action too: 

@usawomenswaterpoloteam

We got Flavor Flav in the pool y’all 👏🏼

♬ original sound - USA Women’s Water Polo

Social media weighs in

Either way, Flav has garnered a whole lot of goodwill from the gesture. Including online: 

Honestly, they should probably just let him compete. Just for one competition that they don’t really care about. Come on, the guy’s earned it! 

Of course, Flav isn’t the only old-school rap icon to be having a blast at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Snoop Dogg’s there too folks, providing interviews and commentary as only he can. 

Your move, Vanilla Ice.

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Nerds rejoice: the Olympics aren’t just for jocks anymore!

On Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee (or IOC for you abbreviators) voted to approve the creation of the Olympic Esports Games (or OEG). The vote was unanimous and, as the IOC themselves describe it, “historic.” 

Why are Esports now part of the Olympics?

What are Esports you ask? Why, that would be people who are very good at video games playing video games against other very good video gamers, often in a tournament or similar arrangement. They can be played at professional or amateur levels. 

The Olympic development makes sense when you realize how absolutely ginormous Esports are as an industry and cultural phenomenon. It’s a freaking billion-dollar industry for crying out loud.

Also, it greatly behooves the Olympics to tap into that untapped market: indoor kids. The first edition of the Olympic Esports Games are slated to take place in 2025, when the event is held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

A new era for the Olympics

A press release from IOC President Thomas Bach heralded the decision as a “new era” for the group. “With the confirmation by the IOC Session of the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, we are keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution,” said Bach. 

“The esports community, represented in our Esports Commission, has enthusiastically engaged with this initiative,” Bach continues. “This is further proof of the attractivity of the Olympic brand and the values it stands for among young people.”

Note that these games are not a part of any winter or summer games, but an entirely different event altogether.

Social media reacts to the news

As for what games specifically will be included in the events, nothing’s yet been revealed, but gaming fans have met this news with a range of emotions.  

The first Esports Olympic Games launch next year in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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Is there anything more unifying than the Olympic games? Yes, cool outfits. Hence, it’s even more unifying-er when the two come together. 

This week, Olympians have taken to their own personal Louis Vuitton runways, as their uniforms have started arriving. Obviously, the excitement at receiving your Olympic uniform is hard to top, so various athletes have taken to TikTok to display their new threads. The trend has caught on pretty significantly, giving us normies a snazzy preview of what to expect when the games begin on July 26. 

Let us take a look at some of the participants in today’s Olympic runway. Cue music!

Olympians preview their Olympic uniforms on TikTok

First, we have Australian soccer player Mackenzie Arnold using the viral "let's go, I guess" TikTok sound, looking very chic in a lime green getup that really looks like it breathes. 

@mackenziearnold94 🫠🫠 @Alanna Kennedy ♬ CODY USED MY AUDIO AHHHHHH - james

American rugby player and 2020 Olympian Ilona Maher can’t miss as she struts her stuff in not one but two videos. Looking swell, Ilona. 

@ilonamaher Here to cause a ruckus @paris2024 @Team USA @SKIMS @Love Island USA @Love Island ♬ original sound - Ilona Maher

@ilonamaher and yet i served @paris2024 @Ralph Lauren @Team USA ♬ original sound - Noelia (Glee Cast Version)

“En guarde,” says French fencer Sara Balzer to her haters. And rightfully so. 

@sarabalzer Decouverte de la dotation olympique! 🇫🇷✨ #paris2024 #olympics #olympicunboxing #olympicgear #olympicuniform #teamfrance #parisolympics2024 #parisolympics @Olympics @paris2024 @Équipe de France ♬ Walking On A Dream - kalia ྀི

Mexico’s CeciliaTamayo-Garza really makes a meal out of the presentation of her track uniform.

@cecitamayog Team Mexico Olympic Gear Haul 🇲🇽 uniformes de México para juegos  #mexico #paris2024 #atletismo #tiktokdeportes #trackandfield #sprinter #olympics #olympian ♬ Bang Bang - New Version - K'NAAN

British Olympian Lina Nielsen has sprinted her way onto all of our best-dressed lists.

@linaruns So much to choose from 🇬🇧🥹  @Laviai 🏃🏽‍♀️  #TeamGB #olympics #paris2024 #parisolympics2024 #roadtoparis #trackandfield ♬ original sound  - kasane teto

Handballer Althea Reinhardt of Denmark has surely left a dense mark on all of our eyes! 

@altheareinhardt Olympic uniforms - Denmark 🇩🇰 #paris2024 #olympics #olympian #olympicunboxing #denmark #haandballplayer #haandbolddamerne ♬ Walking On A Dream - kalia ྀི

“Fifteen love” says Australian tennis player Daria Saville. Well, I fifteen LOVE that new uniform. 

@dasha_tofu More olympic kit content #teamaus #olympics2024 #parisolympics2024 #olympicspirit #olympics ♬ original sound  - kasane teto

But who says Olympic fashion is just for Olympic ladies? Men can get in on the trend too, says Australian hurdler Tayleb Willis.

@taylebwillis Olympic unifrom Arrived 📞🔥 @paris2024 @Australian Olympic Team #paris2024 #olympics #olympicspirit #teamaus ♬ Mr Pot Scraper - BossMan Dlow

Here New Zealand’s Eve Thomas reveals her rugby outfit. It’s nice. 

@evethomasxo NZ team kit features a rugby jersey 🤭🤭 @The New Zealand Team  #olympics #newzealand #olympicvillage #paris2024 ♬ original sound  - kasane teto

Catch coverage of the Games of the XXXIII Olympics starting Friday, July 26th on all your NBC/Peacock services. 

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The 2024 Paris Olympics are almost here! The best way of getting all the inside scoop? Following the biggest athletes at the game on social media, of course! Many of the younger Olympians are getting big into TikTok, picking up from a trend that started at the postponed 2020 games (held in 2021).

At the time, Olympians were navigating some really strict socialization guidelines. While thankfully, we're all in a better place this time around, the TikTok engagement is simply too good to pass up!

From doing viral challenges to offering those behind-the-scenes looks at what it takes to get to the big games and what it's like when you're there, we're getting premium content from some of the world's best athletes.

Here are some Olympians you should start following ahead of the opening ceremony on July 26.

1. Ilona Maher, US Rugby Star

@ilonamaher Here to cause a ruckus @paris2024 @Team USA @SKIMS @Love Island USA @Love Island ♬ original sound - Ilona Maher

They don't call Ilona Maher, US rugby star, the "TikTok Queen" for nothing! Ilona was one of the first Olympic athletes who really went out of the way to share her 2020 experience with fans online. Here we are in 2024 and already, she's crushing the game before the games even begin.

Not only does Ilona share TikTok challenges and behind-the-scenes look at her Olympic preparation, but she's also become a true beacon of body positivity. Her candid discussions of what it means to be a woman with a strong and dominant body type have been truly inspiring and show she has so much more to offer than what she brings to the field—which is pretty damn impressive in and of itself.

2. Daniella Ramirez, US Artistic Swimmer

@annadramirez guys idk if i have it in me to take this out today. #olympics #artisticswimming #teamusa #gel #gelatin #gelatina #KNOX #synchronizedswimming #knoxwithme #daniellaramirez #knoxremoval ♬ original sound - Daniella Ramirez

Daniella Ramirez has TikTokers seated with her epic hair gelatin peel videos. The unusual beauty process that's a must for artistic swimmers in particular has mesmerized viewers, from its application to its removal.

In addition to the knoxing videos, Daniella also shares videos about some of her adventures as she prepares for the Paris games.

3. Nikki Hiltz, US Distance Runner

@nikki_hiltz

if you know you know 😭

♬ original sound - Marco Borghi

Nikki Hiltz is sharing their Olympic experience as a transgender, non-binary athlete. What can you expect on Nikki's TikTok? Jokes about being an LGBTQIA+ athlete on this journey that entertain and behind-the-scenes look at what goes into training for their sport.

They are not afraid of leaning into TikTok trends, which means they'll be sure to supply lots of laughs throughout the games.

4. Suni Lee, US Gymnastics

@sunisalee_

🇫🇷🥖

♬ Thank you for using my sound - BLAIR

Suni Lee has become such a beloved figure in US gymnastics, so it would make sense that she's an Olympian to follow ahead of the Paris games.

From GRWM to sweet moments with the other ladies on the team, Suni is delivering fun and wholesome content while being part of a monumental team of competitors.

5. Simone Biles, US Gymnastics

@simonebilesowens can’t believe this will be my 3rd time going to the olympic games 🥹 grateful & blessed. 2016 rio-> 2020 tokyo -> 2024 PARIS #olympictrials #gymnastics #usa ♬ Dreams Come True - Paper Lovee

Simone Biles is an American treasure. She's got the most contagious, positive attitude, and yet, you know, she's playing no games—except the ones she came to win. Her TikTok updates throughout the 2020 games were amazing and this time around, it seems she'll keep to those standards.

@simonebilesowens attitude checkkkk💁🏾‍♀️ #usagymnastics #olympics #paris ♬ original sound - Princeton Cheer

Simone has gotten the team USA girls together. Already, they're proving they are all about having fun and getting the work done in Paris this summer.

6. Erik Shoji, US Volleyball Player 

@thelibero Everything in my bag for practice! #volleyball #practice #packing ♬ original sound - Erik Shoji

Erik Shoji is another veteran among Olympians to follow on TikTok. He gave us the inside scoop, from food to fun and trends in between, at the 2020 games. He's already warming up the 2024 volleyball squad to join him both on TikTok and on the court.

7. Noah Lyles, US Sprinter

@nojo18 TGIM!!!! 🔥🔥@Junelle Bromfield #olympics #fypage #fypシ゚viral #trackandfield #relationships #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #fun #rap #music ♬ original sound - Noah Lyles

Noah Lyles has won the hearts of many with his unabashed nerdiness. Coming through with Yu-Gi-Oh! cards to mark some of his biggest career moments have earned the respect of millennials and Gen Z alike.

Noah got his start on TikTok with more personal-style videos, and while he's pivoted to more manicured videos recently, many believe he'll get back to his roots amid his rising star and special opportunity at the Summer Olympics.

8. Tyler Downs, US Diver 

@tylerdownss You have to wait for the end😭 #teamusa #olympics @Team USA @NBC Olympics & Paralympics @Andrew Capobianco @Sarah Bacon @Kassidy Cook @Delaney Schnell @Carsonltyler ♬ original sound - tylerdowns

The 20-year-old diver is an absolute natural when it comes to TikTok! In a recent interview, he even said that his six siblings come to him for social media advice. His page is full of genuine excitement about this one-of-a-kind experience, the other athletes he might meet, and the chance he has to achieve. It's very sweet and will have you rooting for him among the many Olympians on TikTok.

9 & 10. Laviai and Lina Nielsen, British Track and Field

@laviainielsen it’s starting to feel real now 🥹 follow for more behind the scenes Olympic content #paris2024 #teamGB #olympics ♬ original sound - Laviai 🏃🏽‍♀️

The 28-year-old twins are returning to the Olympics for the second time and they're ready to enjoy every moment. The two share a fun side of Olympic competition while also showing gratitude and reverence for the spots they've worked hard to earn.

Longtime fans of the sisters are also hoping to maybe see some updates to their Instagram food blog while they're abroad. Stay tuned!

@linaruns I wanted to be dauntless so bad #trackandfield #running #hurdles ♬ original sound - Lionsgate

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Sportwear giant Adidas is under fire from the pro-Israel crowd after unveiling a collaboration with Bella Hadid bringing back a reimagined version of the sneaker first released for the 1972 Munich Olympics.

"First released for the 1972 Munich Olympics, the adidas SL 72 shoes have been reimagined for modern wear," Adidas' website boasts.

During those games, Palestinians affiliated with the militant group Black September attacked Israel's Olympic team, taking eight hostages. In total, 11 Israeli coaches and athletes died as well as one police officer.

That fact, combined with Adidas choosing a Palestinian model for the campaign, brought about loads of backlash.

"I'm sorry, WHAT???" commented one X user. "Did Adidas choose a Palestinian to model a shoe symbolizing the 1972 Munich Olympics, where 11 Israeli athletes were massacred by a Palestinian terrorist organization? It's as if they sent their brand managers to a special course in insensitivity."

Hadid previously drew the ire of some pro-Israel advocates for her support of the Free Palestine movement. Most of the criticism went toward her sister, Gigi Hadid, who has been comparably more outspoken against Israel in the wake of Oct. 7.

Bella Hadid, for her part, broke her silence in late October, saying she "weep[s] alongside mothers who have lost their children and the children who cry alone" while also extending her condolences to those impacted by Hamas' attack. She also said she received hundreds of death threats and was doxxed over her support of Palestine.

The Adidas campaign drew immediate backlash, as users recalled that the company's founder was a card-carrying member of the Nazi Party.

"So Adidas picks a Palestinian woman to celebrate the year Palestinians slaughtered Jews at the Olympics. You really can never hide your true Nazi colors, can you?" one person said.

"Still haven't let go of your Nazi roots," echoed someone else.

"This is not a mistake, it’s by design," blasted another prominent pro-Israel user, who later added: "Adidas, are you threatening Jews?"

He added in a separate post: "Adidas: Founded by Nazi Adolf Dassler. Kept working with Kanye for years despite his antisemitism. Now doing a campaign with Bella Hadid, who shared pro-Hamas propaganda to her 61M followers. Some things never change..."

In response to the campaign, one person said she decided to throw out her Adidas shoes. Others similarly began deploying the hashtag #BoycottAdidas.

"First Kanye and now another Antisemite to celebrate the Munich Massacre?" one user said, referencing the rapper's antisemitic remarks that prompted the brand to drop him. "You hate Jews and learned nothing. Here’s a tip: you could showcase an ATHLETE since you’re an athletic brand. This disgusting choice was blatant and obvious and we will #BoycottAdidas"

"Boycotting is the right thing to do ASAP," concluded someone else.

Update 3:00pm CT: In a statement to the Daily Dot, Adidas said it was "revising" the campaign after seeing the "upset and distress" it caused.

"The Adidas Originals SL72 campaign unites a broad range of partners to celebrate our lightweight running shoe, designed more than 50 years ago and worn in sport and culture around the world. We are conscious that connections have been made to tragic historical events—though these are completely unintentional—and we apologize for any upset or distress caused. As a result we are revising the remainder of the campaign. We believe in sport as a unifying force around the world and will continue our efforts to champion diversity and equality in everything we do," the brand said.

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The Paris Olympics logo is being dissected—and joked about online ahead of next week's official games.

While the athletic events themselves are the main draw of the occasion, the real meat of any Olympics discourse is when its unique logo is unveiled.

This year, the internet has been tearing apart the logo for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, which one person described as a "lady with a f***-ass bob."

What is the Paris Olympics logo inspired by?

You aren't alone if you see a woman's face, hair, and/or lips in the design of the official 2024 Paris Olympic logo. This is by design.

According to the official Olympics press release, "the logo for Paris 2024 combines three separate symbols: the gold medal, the flame and Marianne, the personification of the French Republic."

It continues, "Each of these symbols reflects a part of our identity and values. It is also the first time in history the same emblem has been used for both the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games."

Cool, seems good. The gold medal, the flame and Marianne all seem like appropriate inspirations for the image. Right?

Social media reactions to the Paris Olympics logo

However, once the internet got a look, they started playing a game of People Who Look Like Things. For example:

Good luck unseeing that one…and this one: 

And this one…

And, well, all of these…

It’s a true Rorschach test.

The 2024 Olympic Games officially begin Friday, July 26th.

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There’s always been an unspoken tie between Comedy Central’s 2012-2015 sketch comedy hit Key and Peele and 44th President of the United States Barack Obama.

Of course, the two were in power at the same time. Then of course there’s Luther, Obama’s “anger translator.” Overall, they just seem inexplicably tied, given their prominence during the same cultural moment before, you know, all this.

And it seems ol’ Barack has not yet quit Key and Peele. 

Similarities between Key & Peel sketch and real-life

I’d like you to do something for me real quick. Please view this classic 2015 K&P sketch entitled “Obama Meet & Greet.” 

Got it? Excellent.

Now let’s take a look at the real Barack Obama’s recent greeting of the Team USA basketball team, which includes the likes of Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony, ahead of their trip to the Paris Olympics.

Notice anything? 

Yup, Obama’s doing the exact handshake routine his Jordan Peele counterpart pulled off in “Obama Meet & Greet.” The exchange became a meme in 2018 and has remained relevant in pop culture since the show's original airing.

But is it intentional? It’s extremely likely, as this is probably a good time to point out that Obama has recreated a Key & Peele sketch IRL before:

Social media reacts to Barack Obama's handshake

Either way, the Internet is delighted at this development. 

Now we just have to wait to see if Bill Clinton ever recreates that SNL McDonald’s sketch.

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Ilona Maher has proven to be an it-girl, both on the rugby scene and on TikTok. In 2020, the Olympian proved that she's as savvy online as she is on the rugby field, endearing herself to countless fans who are excited to see her back at the Olympics this summer.

The basics about rugby star Ilona Maher

Ilona Maher is a talented rugby player, but rugby is not the sport she started in. A natural athlete, Ilona played a variety of sports growing up. In high school, she played rugby, as well as field hockey, basketball, and soccer.

She set her sights on rugby, specifically, when she attended Quinnipiac University and began competing internationally after graduating with her degree in nursing.

In 2020, the center earned a spot on the Olympic team and competed in rugby sevens at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

How did Ilona Maher become the TikTok Queen among Olympic athletes?

During her time in Tokyo in 2020, Ilona Maher began documenting her experiences. (Remember, the Olympic games were postponed for a year due to the pandemic and actually took place in 2021.) Even once they were back on, there were many restrictions for participating athletes to ensure everyone's safety and well-being.

@ilonamaher My screen time is nothing to be proud of #tokyo2020 #beastbeautybrains #olympics #usarugby #tokyoolympics #olympictiktok #teamusa ♬ I'm A Survivor - Reba McEntire

Making the most of her time there while abiding by all restrictions, Ilona took to TikTok to share what it was like in the Olympic Village. She discussed the food, meeting other athletes, learning about Japanese culture, and more.

@ilonamaher Replying to @arielbaer406 How I became an Olympian #beastbeautybrains #rugby #olympian #usarugby #tokyoolympics #rugger #athletechallenge #athlete #greenscreen ♬ original sound - Ilona Maher

Her genuine curiosity and gratitude for her first time at the Olympics, plus her fun and approachable demeanor had viewers hooked.

@ilonamaher Sad girl vibes #beastbeautybrains #tokyoolympics #rugby #olympictiktok #usarugby #tokyo2020 ♬ Kiss Me More (feat. SZA) - Doja Cat

Ilona's content also focused on body positivity, celebrating strong female bodies. Although it wasn't the rugby team's year to shine, she continued to provide valuable and entertaining content to her growing followership.

@ilonamaher Took a page out of @codymelphy playbook #beastbeautybrains #tokyoolympics #rugby #olympictiktok #usarugby #tokyo2020 #ilonamaher #olympicvillage ♬ original sound - Ilona Maher

"I consider social media my second job," Ilona told Seven Days VT. "I'm a rugby player first, but the social aspect is such a big part of me."

@ilonamaher I am available #beastbeautybrains #olympics #tokyoolympics #tokyo2021 #japan #olympicvillage #athlete #olympictiktok #teamusa ♬ original sound

The star's rugby and social media talents are both strong going into the 2024 Olympics

Ilona will once again represent Team USA in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. While she's sure to share her experience on TikTok once again, Ilona has said being present is important to her too.

@ilonamaher @paris2024 @Team USA @USA Rugby ♬ GENTLEMEN START YOUR ENGINESSS - fierydeltav_

"My main thing first is just to enjoy all those moments before Paris, because as I learned from the last one, you're in, you're out. Boom. You're done. Next four years, maybe, maybe go to the next Olympics. And I'm like, wait, that's it?" she told Olympics.com.

"I trained my whole life, four years for this one moment and it's over. It's really been important for me to enjoy these moments with my teammates and the laughs in the locker room. The car rides. Because it is so fleeting and nothing is guaranteed, especially in sport, and especially the sport I play."

Good luck this year, Ilona, and please keep the TikToks coming!

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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled early Monday that 15-year-old Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva would be allowed to compete in the women’s individual figure skating event despite receiving a positive drug test prior to the Winter Olympics. It’s a decision that’s drawing plenty of ire online and is leading more than a few people—including one athlete who was suspended from participating in an Olympics after a positive drug test—to call out the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and CAS for hypocrisy.

Valieva, who is skating on behalf of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) after Russia was banned from the Olympics for four years for its state-run doping program and manipulated test results, tested positive for trimetazidine (a banned heart medication). Although Valieva’s test was dated Dec. 25, 2021, the results of her test weren’t publicly known until the medal ceremony for the team figure skating competition—where the ROC won the gold medal thanks in part to Valieva’s contribution—was delayed. As the start of the women’s individual figure skating competition drew closer, questions of Valieva’s eligibility came up in an expedited hearing.

In its ruling, the CAS said that while Valieva can skate in the women’s individual event (which she is heavily favored to win) and that it “considered fundamental principles of fairness, proportionality, irreparable harm and the balance of interests.” Among those factors is Valieva’s age: At 15, she is still considered to be a minor and is classified as a “protected person.” But the IOC noted that Valieva won’t get any kind of ceremony in the case that she wins until the matter is resolved.

“Should Ms. Valieva finish amongst the top three competitors in the women’s singles skating competition, no flower ceremony and no medal ceremony will take place during the Olympic Winter Games,” the IOC said in a statement.

The decision instantly drew ire from skating fans, and organizations such as the World Anti-Doping Agency, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and the Canadian Olympic Committee expressed disappointment. While people were sympathetic toward Valieva because of her age, they also didn’t think that she should be allowed to compete.

“Athlete who violates doping cannot compete in the game,” Yuna Kim, the Korean figure skater who won the women’s individual event in 2010, wrote on Instagram. “This principle must be observed without exception. All players' efforts and dreams are equally precious.”

Johnny Weir, a former U.S. figure skater who commentates figuring skating events for NBC, condemned the decision as well.

But for some fans, the decision to allow Valieva to skate reeked of hypocrisy compared to its decision around American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, who was suspended from participating in the Tokyo Olympics for testing positive for marijuana. Richardson said that she had taken an edible to cope with the loss of her mother.

Richardson took to Twitter to ask why her situation was treated differently.

“Can we get a solid answer on the difference of her situation and mines?” Richardson tweeted. “My mother died and I can’t run and was also favored to place top 3. The only difference I see is I’m a black young lady.”

People quickly took to highlighting the double-standard (and racial bias) in how Richardson and Valieva’s situations were handled while some believed that Richardson deserved an apology for how she was treated.

As Richardson and others noted, THC, a primary component in marijuana, isn’t even a performance-enhancing drug and wouldn’t have affected her performance.

The women’s individual figure skating event starts on Tuesday morning local time (Monday night in the U.S.).

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At the start this writing—less than 18 hours after our Zoom interview—bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor faces yet another challenge. Fortunately, for Team USA and the world, she is an overcomer.

She has been isolated in a Beijing hotel room after she, her husband Nic Taylor, and infant son Nico tested positive for COVID-19. Authorities told the three-time Olympic medalist and two-time world champ that she would require constant testing and consecutive negative tests in back-to-back days before being released from isolation. Heats start in just 10 days for monobob, a single-person event debuting with six other events during the 2022 Winter Olympics.

According to USA Today, her son—who she wants on a podium with her—is two rooms away, staying with her father, former Navy football star Eddie Meyers. Her husband—also her trainer—is biding his time in a room between his wife and their son. Meyers Taylor is still breastfeeding, for which the hotel is assisting in regular bottle delivery to Nico.

Does the 37-year-old athlete—who was vaccinated and boosted—appear concerned? Not especially. The story of Elana Meyers Taylor is an account of significant pivots and overcoming. This is just one more trial in a career full of them.

Raised as a talented athlete in the Atlanta metro area, Meyers Taylor was a good softball player at George Washington University as its first-ever signee for the sport. After an up-and-down sporting experience at the university—the softball team was forced to cancel the remainder of its 2004 season, following a 1-5-1 record, due to massive player loss to injury—Meyers received a much-desired tryout for the U.S. softball team. However, in her words, she "crashed and burned." Her first Olympic dream perished when softball was eliminated from the Olympics following the 2008 summer games—coincidentally in Beijing.

Meyers' parents advised her to try out for the U.S. bobsled team back in 2002. However, it wasn't until she retired from professional softball in 2007 that she recalled her parents' suggestion and found her Olympic calling after a simple email.

"They invited me to Lake Placid, New York, and I made the national team two weeks later," Meyers Taylor told Presser. She follows in the footsteps of bobsleigh legend Vonetta Flowers, the first African-American and the first Black athlete from any country to win a gold medal at a Winter Olympics.

Ranked No. 1 in the world in two-woman bobsled and the women's monobob, Meyers Taylor is now the most decorated American female bobsledder in history: Eight medals (four gold) in the World Championships and three Olympic medals (two silver and a bronze). She and pusher Cherrelle Garrett beat three German crews in 2015 to win the first World Championship in women's two-person bobsled. She also became the first American driver, of any gender, in 56 years to win a World Championship on a non-North American track. Meyers Taylor also introduced champion hurdler Lolo Jones to the sport. She has also captured two World Championship gold medals—the first came alongside Meyers Taylor at the 2013 games in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

However, much happened in between, and it wasn't all medals and glory. There have been several concussions. Softball has an underreported history of them, as does bobsledding. Brain specialists who have studied these sled-sport athletes state a unique symptom set that likely stems from a continuous and cyclical series of crashes, headbanging, heavy physical vibrations, and enduring violent gravitational acceleration forces.

Many athletes experience brain fog, even from routine runs with no mishaps, called "sled head." It's a problematic term, as it simplifies and normalized concussion or other traumatic brain injury symptoms. Meyers Taylor—who has pledged to donate to her brain for research—candidly describes the sport as someone "being put in a garbage can and kicked down a rocky hill." After previous concussions, she believes her brain is "even better" following treatment from various brain injury professionals.

"I crash way less," she said. "I've been able to protect myself better. I have safer helmets. I've done different things in the sled where I sit in all these different [positions.] We've made adjustments over the years to make it as safe as possible."

The other struggle was Meyers Taylor becoming a leading driver—essentially the pilot, in layman's terms—the power position in bobsled. Her ascendance wasn't without racialized controversy—not entirely unlike the idea of a Black quarterback or head coach in the NFL. A driver is a position of intelligence and leadership.

"I was a part of the trend of the sport changing and to get more Black and people of color in the front seat," recalled Meyers Taylor. "As a driver, you have more control over your destiny. As a brakeman (or pusher) in the back, you don't have much control over what happens."

Though there are more Black bobsledders today, including Lolo Jones, the sport hasn’t partaken in a stable history of racial acceptance. According to the Guardian, former British Bobsleigh coach Lee Johnston allegedly told an athlete in 2013 that, “Black drivers do not make good bobsleigh drivers.” In a sport where technology is of the utmost importance, Meyers Taylor said there is at least one leading sled manufacturer that allegedly refuses to sell to Black pilots. They have reportedly been cited declaring, “If I wanted to see a monkey drive a sled, I’d go to the zoo,” according to British bobsled Olympian Andrew Matthews. 

She wrote a pointed and passionate piece regarding racism in the sport, pointing out the sins previously listed, among others—including a horrifying police-related story with her husband. She believes she has the gravitas and respect to call out these issues.

"I felt like because of my success, because of my age, because I'm pretty well-respected in the sport, that I have that opportunity to speak up, and because I do have a passion for trying to help athletes as much as possible," she said.

Additionally, her desire to continue "sliding" comes from a desire to win, accomplish her dream of having her son on the podium with her, and continue showing a Black face in spaces they usually aren't present. None of it would have been possible without Vonetta Flowers being in the right place and time. Like the adage says, "You have to see it to believe it."

"I came out to bobsled because I saw Vonetta Flowers, someone who looked like me, and then made it achievable," explained Meyers Taylor. "If Vonetta didn't do it, I can't say that I would've. I can't say my parents would've watched if Vonetta wasn't in it. So I think it's hugely important for people to see people who look like them. It makes all the difference in the world."

Elana Meyers Taylor recently gained the consecutive negative tests necessary to compete. Like Vonetta Flowers and many others before her, she will continue the lineage in making the differences that come with being seen by people that look like her.

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