The Olympics, with all of its unique characters and memorable moments, has always been a breeding ground for viral humor. The combination of athletic intensity and unexpected, often hilarious, moments creates the perfect setup for meme punchlines. While cannabis is infamously banned for athletes, there’s no rule stopping viewers from blending Olympic moments with weed culture in the form of memes. This in and of itself, should be considered as a sport in the next Olympics— after all, the 2028 games are in the cannabis capital of the world (Los Angeles).
Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, became a meme legend when a photo of him with a bong went viral in 2009, sparking debates and cementing the link between the Olympics and weed in internet culture. As attitudes toward cannabis evolve, the blend of Olympic feats and 420-related humor continues to thrive online.
The Best Weed x Olympics Memes of the 2024 Games
Snoop Dogg, a weed icon, is now an Olympic icon (no, not for smoking a record-breaking amount)
When Snoop Dogg was named one of the final torchbearers for the 2024 Paris Olympics, it seemed almost inevitable that the internet would have a field day. Known globally for his laid-back, usually-stoned persona, Snoop carried the Olympic flame through Paris, proudly posting a picture of himself holding the torch on social media.
Fans quickly took to social media, humorously comparing the torch to a giant cannabis joint, leading to edited images of the torch as an oversized doobie. This was certainly a nod to Snoop’s signature style, blending the worlds of Olympic tradition and weed humor in a way only he could.
Even skateboarders must be weed-free at the Olympics
The laid-back, counterculture vibe of skateboarding doesn’t necessarily match the clean-cut image of the Olympics, sparking disbelief that these competitors also follow the drug-free policy. In turn, sparking memes like this one, stating “You’re telling me none of the skateboarders tested positive for weed at the Olympics.”
Popularly, Olympic memes imagine gold medals for everyday activities, especially 420-related ones
A common play on Olympic photos this year, a joint replaces the traditional flame of the torchbearer. This time captioned, “if za was an Olympic sport we’d get 🥇.” The comments further enhance the joke, with one user remarking, “What I expected Snoop Dogg to do at bringing the torch.”
Simone Biles’ many iconic moments have found their way into various weed-related Olympic memes
Simone Biles, already an icon for her extraordinary gymnastics skills, has also become a favorite subject of cannabis-themed memes at the Olympics.
One popular meme reimagines the balance beam as a joint, with Biles flawlessly performing atop it.
Another meme plays on the contrast between her intense focus during competition and her joyous celebration afterward, labeled as “before I smoke” and “after I smoke.”
In yet another, Biles is depicted draped in gold medals with the caption, “me if losing my lighter was an Olympic sport.”
Perhaps the most clever is a meme showing Biles mid-flip with the caption, “you will not see anyone get as high as she does,” which has been hilariously repurposed with the caption, “when I take the whole edible.”
The unexpected star of Olympic memes, Yusuf Dikec of Turkey
Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec has become the unexpected star of numerous Olympic memes this year, thanks to his nonchalance while winning medals.
