TikTok

Olympians Bring Fans Closer to Olympic Village Than Ever Before … Via TikTok

Though fans weren't allowed at the Tokyo Olympics, the athletes used TikTok to connect them to the Games

Ilona Maher, Kris Thomas and Abby Gustaitis of Team United States share a laugh as they prepare to take the field for the Women’s pool C match between Team United States and Team Japan during the Rugby Sevens on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Stadium on July 29, 2021 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan.
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In an Olympic Games closed off to fans, athletes have used TikTok to provide a glimpse at life in the Olympic Village.

From dining hall reviews to videos testing out the infamous cardboard beds to videos from training in the arenas, many athletes have gone viral on the popular social media app throughout the Games, connecting fans directly to the action.

Team USA rugby player Ilona Maher posted daily throughout her Olympic experience, racking up millions of views on many of her videos. She wanted to show that Olympians are people, too, by posting relatable and funny content.

“They think of us as these Olympians who don’t have fun or who are always on their grind,” Maher, 24, said. “But no, we’re people. We’re human. We love to have fun. We love to make jokes.”

Read the full story at NBCNews.com

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