The masks Team USA athletes are wearing at the Tokyo Olympics are proving to be the “Bane” of fans’ existence.
People on Twitter couldn’t help but notice that the masks the athletes are sporting look eerily similar to the facial apparatus sported by Batman’s enemy Bane.
“I feel like the USA masks in the #Olympics look kinda like a Bane mask,” one person wrote along a GIF of the character saying, “Nobody cared who I was until I put on the mask.”
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Other people shared photos of the athletes in their masks.
“Team USA masks for the podium look like the medalists are about to close off Gotham’s bridges and become allies with darkness,” someone wrote, while alluding to “Batman.”
"Really enjoying the Swimming events at #Tokyo2020 #Olympics so far however I must say, #TeamUSA face masks are creeping me out," someone else wrote.
Other people thought the masks had a touch of another famous character who chilled moviegoers: Hannibal Lecter.
“What’s with the Bane/Hannibal Lecter masks Americans are wearing on the medal stands?” another person wrote. “They’re huge! (…I want one.)”
"Why do the American masks look like they could be worn on Hannibal Lecter?" one person pointed out.
"Getting real Hannibal Lecter vibes from the USA olympic masks," someone else wrote.
Nike has provided the masks for Team USA athletes, who are required to wear them at all Olympic venues — indoors and outdoors — in Tokyo, including medal ceremonies, the International Olympic Committee said Sunday, according to Reuters. However, they can take them off in order to take pictures.
"It's not a nice to have. It's a must to have," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said about masks.
"No, there is no relaxation and we would urge and ask everyone to obey the rules," Adams said. "It's important for the sports, for everyone involved and for our Japanese friends and it would send a strong message."
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