It might be 2021, but the Tokyo Olympics that were supposed to be in 2020 are about to begin. From July 23 through Aug. 8, some of the top athletes in the world will compete for about 5,000 medals across 33 sports. If you’re looking to get hyped about the games, finding Olympic athletes to follow on TikTok can help pump you up.
Even if you’re not generally into sportsball, the Olympics often has a kind of irresistible allure. Some of that comes from the fact that the games only happen every four years (plus, it’s been five years now, because of the pandemic). Another pull of the summer Olympics is just how many different sports it offers. The 2021 Olympics are going to feature everything from the classics — think swimming, gymnastics, and tennis — and some newbies, like surfing, skateboarding, and karate.
As thousands of athletes head out to Japan to compete, you can grab yourself a part of the action on TikTok. Whether you’re wondering why Olympic divers don’t get dizzy while they’re flipping over and over in the air, or want to know what TikTok-viral dance moves Olympians are obsessed with, these seven Olympic athlete TikTok accounts will have something for you.
1
Basketball Player A’ja Wilson
2
Gymnast MyKayla Skinner
Not many of Team USA’s famed Women’s Gymnastics team is on TikTok, but MyKayla Skinner, who’s headed to the Olympics for the second time, serves up all the mat content you need to get excited for the Games.
3
Diver Sam Fricker’
Ever watched pro divers flip over and over and over in the air and wonder how they don’t get sick from dizziness? Olympic diver Sam Fricker’s TikTok doesn’t have an answer for you — but he is open to fielding your questions.
4
Sprinter Andre De Grasse
Need a dash of inspiration for your next sprinting workout? Watching Olympic sprinter Andre De Grasse fly across your feed can give you everything you need to get you ready to run.
5
Soccer Player Alex Morgan
7
Swimmer Katie Ledecky
There aren’t exactly a lot of videos on Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky’s TikTok — but the vid that exists is a real charmer. You’ll learn how to balance a glass of chocolate milk on your head while swimming a full lap in the pool. According to Ledecky, step two involves a very simple direction: “don’t spill.”
