Whether it’s a dog saving a soccer goal, an athlete’s impromptu dance-off or a sports team’s mascot’s hilarious antics, viral sports moments capture the world’s imagination and build bridges that span language, time zones and sport. They turn athletes into legends and create global communities of team loyalty. They also serve as the perfect vehicle for teams to reach new fans and generate conversation about their brand.
While most athletes train their entire lives for one moment on the big stage, not everyone is lucky enough to become an instant sporting hero. Sometimes, the smallest actions are more than enough to make the biggest splash in the sport world, as was the case with a casual swimmer who shocked the Olympics and had spectators scratching their heads in 2024.
There are a few key factors that go into making a viral sports moment:
The Ubiquity Factor: Did this moment make everyone talk about it for weeks? Did it become part of a sports lexicon, like Dell Curry’s genetics or MJ’s crying face?
The Holy Shit! Factor: Did it make you say “Holy shit!” out loud? Did it make you want to do something similar to what happened? If so, then it’s a great moment.