The Top Stars and Athletes at the Paris Olympics

The Paris 2024 Olympics captivated global audiences with remarkable athletic achievements and made a significant impact on social media. Garnering over 12 billion engagements through official Olympic channels—more than twice that of Tokyo 2020—the Games made a lasting online impression. Content production on TV and digital platforms increased by 15.8% compared to Tokyo. Athletes remained the focal point, yet celebrities, politicians, and retired athletes played crucial roles in shaping social media narratives, creating more than $344 million in Earned Media Value (EMV). This blog post highlights the top athletes and public figures who exerted the greatest online influence during the Paris Olympics.

The 10 Stars at the Paris Olympic Games

1.@snoopdog 

• EMV: $51.9M
• Posts: 296

As NBC's official correspondent, Snoop Dogg made a memorable impact on social media by attending more events than perhaps any other celebrity and enthusiastically cheering for Team USA.

Events Attended: LVMH’s Pre-Olympics Event, Opening Ceremony, Tennis, Volleyball, Equestrian, Fencing, Judo, Javelin, Basketball, Skateboarding, Athletics, Breaking, Football, Gymnastics, Badminton, Closing Ceremony.

2.@choiminho_1209

• EMV: $26.2M
• Posts: 129

South Korean musician Choi Minho attended the Paris Olympics as the first “Olympic Friend” for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), cheering on Team South Korea at numerous events.

Events Attended: Basketball, Volleyball, Taekwondo, High Jump, Skateboarding, Golf, Equestrian, Breaking, Weight Lifting, Table Tennis, Athletics, Basketball, Closing Ceremony.

3.@nina 

• EMV: $16.2M
• Posts: 41

Actress Nina Dobrev joined her boyfriend, former Olympian Shaun White, at the Olympic Games. The couple attended various athletic events, enthusiastically supporting their friend, American fencer Miles Chamley-Watson.

Events Attended: LVMH’s Pre-Olympics Event, Opening Ceremony, Gymnastics, Fencing.

4.@celinedion 

• EMV: $15.4M
• Posts: 97

Celine Dion delivered a poignant performance at the opening ceremony following her hiatus due to her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome. The legendary French-Canadian singer captivated audiences worldwide with her stirring rendition of Edith Piaf's classic "L'Hymne à l'Amour."

Events Attended: Opening Ceremony. 

5.@kendalljenner

• EMV: $14.9M
• Posts: 8

Kendall Jenner quickly stopped at the Paris Olympic Games to cheer on Team USA at two events. The model posted eight stories on Instagram documenting her time at the Games.

Events Attended: Gymnastics, Equestrian.

6.@ladygaga

• EMV: $12M
• Posts: 7

Beloved singer and actress Lady Gaga performed the classic French ballad "Mon Truc en Plumes" by French singer Zizi Jeanmaire. Her extravagant outfit, designed by Dior, and truly Parisian performance wowed audiences worldwide.

Events Attended: Opening Ceremony, Gymnastics.

7.@emmanuelmacron

• EMV: $11.1M
• Posts: 71

As President of France, Emmanuel Macron played a pivotal role in the Paris Olympics. He attended numerous events to support Team France and was a prominent figure in both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games.

8.@arianagrande

• EMV: $10.7M
• Posts: 10

Ariana Grande attended the Olympic Games alongside co-star Cynthia Erivo. The two posed in front of the Eiffel Tower pre-opening ceremony in "Wicked" inspired outfits to promote their upcoming film.

Events Attended: Opening Ceremony, Gymnastics.

9.@travisscott

• EMV: $10.3M
• Posts: 9

Travis Scott traveled to Paris alongside fellow rapper Quavo to support Team USA's men's basketball team pre-finals. The artist documented his short time in Paris with 9 Instagram stories.

Events Attended: Basketball.

10.@lewishamilton

• EMV: $9.33M
• Posts: 17

F1 racer Lewis Hamilton stopped in Paris to support friend and American Fencer Miles Chamley-Watson alongside stars Nina Dobrev and Shaun White. Cheering on his friend, the F1 star posted 17 times on Instagram, documenting Chamley-Watson's final match.

The Top 10 Athletes at the Paris Olympic Games

1.@simonebiles

• EMV: $73.9M
• Posts: 128

Arguably the most prominent star at the Paris Olympics was American gymnast Simone Biles. Her performance at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games secured her four medals—three gold and one silver—solidifying her legacy as the greatest gymnast in U.S. history, and perhaps of all time. Simone's Instagram posts, capturing her Olympic journey, garnered significant attention and visibility.

2.@ilonamaher

• EMV: $56M
• Posts: 167

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Ilona Maher played a crucial role in the U.S. Women's Rugby Sevens team, showcasing her leadership and athleticism. Known for her strength and agility, Maher helped the team secure a strong finish, further solidifying her status as one of rugby's top athletes.

3.@kingjames

• EMV: $39.9M
• Posts: 49

4.@sunisalee

• EMV: $16M
• Posts: 13

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Sunisa Lee, the 2020 all-around gymnastics champion, competed in a highly anticipated return to the international stage. Despite facing intense competition and dealing with challenges, Lee showcased her resilience and skill, contributing to Team USA's overall performance while demonstrating her continued status as one of the world's top gymnasts.

5.@kelseyplum10

• EMV: $15M
• Posts: 27

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kelsey Plum was a standout player for Team USA, showcasing her scoring prowess and leadership on the basketball court. She played a pivotal role in guiding the team to a gold medal, delivering clutch performances and proving herself as one of the tournament's top players.

6.@rafaelnadal

• EMV: $11.4M
• Posts: 48

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Rafael Nadal made a highly anticipated return, competing in both singles and doubles tennis. Despite his age and recent injuries, Nadal showcased his legendary fighting spirit, advancing to the quarterfinals in singles and earning a bronze medal in doubles, further solidifying his legacy as one of the sport's greats.

7.@samuelwatson__

• EMV: $9.69M
• Posts: 12

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Samuel Watson etched his name in history by setting a new world record in the men's speed climbing event. His extraordinary performance on August 6 not only highlighted his incredible speed and precision on the climbing wall but also bolstered Team USA's prominence in the sport.

8.@bhakermanu

• EMV: $8.49M
• Posts: 3

Manu Bhaker excelled at the Paris 2024 Olympics, claiming two bronze medals in shooting. She made history as the first Indian woman to secure an Olympic shooting medal with her outstanding performance in the women's 10m air pistol event. In addition, she earned another bronze in the mixed 10m air pistol team event alongside Sarabjot Singh. Although she narrowly missed a third medal in the women's 25m air pistol event, finishing fourth, her accomplishments have cemented her reputation as one of India's leading Olympic athletes. Bhaker's success played a crucial role in India's six-medal tally.

9.@gabbythomas

• EMV: $8.6M
• Posts: 49

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Gabby Thomas delivered a stellar performance, winning gold in the women's 200 meters with a time of 21.60 seconds, making her the fastest in the world this year. She also secured a bronze medal in the 4x100 meters relay, showcasing her versatility and cementing her status as one of the top sprinters in track and field.

10.@jennihermoso

• EMV: $7.39M
• Posts: 31

Jenni Hermoso was instrumental in Spain's women's football team during the 2024 Paris Olympics, demonstrating outstanding skill and leadership. Her pivotal contributions were crucial in leading Spain to a successful tournament, reinforcing her stature as one of the sport's elite players.

Conclusion

The Paris Olympics proved to be a resounding success, capturing attention across the internet. Athletes and celebrities generated significant earned media value (EMV) on social platforms, highlighting the widespread appeal of Olympics-related content. This year, interest in women's sports soared to unprecedented levels, with women's gymnastics becoming the most attended athletic event by celebrities—many there to support Simone Biles.

With seven out of the top ten athletes on social media being women, women's athletics has never been more in the spotlight. This growing media and social media attention presents an ideal opportunity for brands to partner with rising female athletes who already have significant followings and highly engaged audiences.

The Paris 2024 Olympics saw a tremendous surge in social media attention, driven by both athletes and high-profile figures like celebrities, politicians, and retired athletes. Their collective effort played a crucial role in shaping the narratives, generating over $344 million in Earned Media Value (EMV).

In conclusion, the shift in media focus towards female athletes is creating valuable partnership opportunities for brands. By aligning with these influential athletes, companies can tap into vast, engaged audiences and enhance their brand visibility and credibility in a dynamic and evolving marketplace.