With the Rio Olympics about to wrap up, we must say the athletic event came with a few surprises. Apart from the athletes’ outstanding performances, a few weird and unexpected incidents kept things interesting.
By: Reem Eid
Were those wedding bells we heard? Proposal at the Olympics.
Things took an unexpectedly romantic turn at the Olympics when Chinese Olympic diver Qin Kai proposed to fellow Chinese diver (and silver medal winner!) He Zi. While the public’s opinion was divided on the gesture, with some calling it “the romantic gesture of a lifetime”, while others criticized the whole situation, saying it was a life changing decision that Zi was forced to take under the pressure of the whole world watching her. Others said that perhaps it was all pre-planned to create publicity for their country, and become “China’s new golden couple.”
Whichever your opinion on the matter is, you have to admit that Kai gave all those kids posting videos of promposals a run for their money.
A swimmer finally meets his idol, Michael Phelps, and beats him!
It was set to be Michael Phelps last individual event ever before retiring, and the 23 olympic gold medals winner didn’t get to add another to his collection. He lost to Joseph Schooling, a 21 year old swimmer from Singapore.
Schooling was ecstatic, all smiles when claiming his gold, but it wasn’t just about winning for him. Back in 2008 Schooling met his idol in Singapore. That year Phelps would go on to compete in Beijing. Fast forward eight years later, and the two swimmers were competing side by side in Rio.
The gold medal winner was at a loss of words after winning, “’I’m sorry if I don’t seem like I’m full of emotions but I don’t know what to believe – that I actually did it or I’m still preparing for my race. I’m between the two of them,’ Schooling said.
Simone Manuel makes history, becoming the first African American swimmer to win an Olympic medal in an individual event. 
Simone Manuel’s tear as she stood at the medal ceremony weren’t just tears of joy. In the past, under laws of segregation, African Americans were prohibited from swimming in pools and at beaches across the United States. In a powerful post by Facebook user Tammika Johnson, she wrote about how far along things had come. 52 years ago, a man named James Brock is seen pouring acid into a swimming pool, because he did not want African Americans to swim there. There has been a long history of cruelty and injustice against African Americans, so for Simone to win gold in Rio in a sport that her ancestors were prohibited to practice recreationally, it isn’t just about breaking a milestone. It’s about making history.
Falling during a race could have cost him a medal, but Mo Farah gets back up.. to win a gold!
In a sport where every split second counts tripping over could prove to be a fatal mistake. Unless you are Mo Farah. Muhamad Muktar Jama, known as Mo Farah was competing in the 10,000m race, when he suffered an unfortunate incident. The field athlete is considered one of the best British athletes of his time, and he’s got the medals to prove it.
2016 Rio Olympics – Athletics – Preliminary – Men’s 5000m Round 1 – Olympic Stadium – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 17/08/2016. Mo Farah (GBR) of Britain and Hassan Mead (USA) of USA collide REUTERS/Dylan Martinez TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.