The Olympics are in full swing and it’s not just the competitors that are sweating. Millions of spectators are gushing on social media over the athlete-stroke-heartthrobs getting them hot and bothered.
For some, they’re fantasising about a good pommeling – and before you raise your eyebrows, we’re talking about the excellent Steven Nedoroscik who has been dubbed the ‘Clark Kent of the pommel horse’.
The 25-year-old went viral yesterday for his superhero moment, in which he secured the first medal in 16 years for the USA men’s gymnastics team.
Hearts were broken, though, when he confirmed in an interview shortly after that he has a girlfriend of eight years.
Elsewhere on TikTok, viewers thirsted over the dripping Thomas Ceccon, as he helped scoop the bronze for Italy in the men’s 4×100 freestyle relay. He and the rest of the Italian swim team became an overnight sensation as they were compared to ‘Calvin Klein models’.
Obviously, first and foremost, these individuals should be judged on their performance in the Games – and the focus shouldn’t just be on male athletes (though that very much is the case online). But there’s no denying the participants of Paris 2024 are drawing attention for a variety of reasons, beyond their athleticism.
And it seems we’re not just indulging in the talented eye-candy on our screens – we’re *very* actively trying to date them.
Sign up to The Hook-Up, Metro’s sex and dating newsletter
Love reading juicy stories like this? Need some tips for how to spice things up in the bedroom?
Sign up to The Hook-Up and we’ll slide into your inbox every week with all the latest sex and dating stories from Metro. We can’t wait for you to join us!
Of course, the invention of Raya, the exclusive dating app used by celebs and athletes, has made it slightly easier to mingle with the stars (if you manage to wrangle yourself a membership, that is). But hopefuls are trying their luck elsewhere too.
Tinder revealed there has been a 20% increase in swipe activity for France in hopes they meet a potential Olympic date.
What’s more, is most of us who aren’t even in Paris for the Games are still using the Tinder Passport Mode to match with dates in the French capital – this has surged by 103% since the Olympics started.
But why are we as a society so obsessed with dating athletes? And, if we can’t date them, why are we fixated on those who are?
Clinical psychologist Dr Sarah Bishop, who specialises in relationships and attraction, tells Metro that sports stars simply posses a ‘captivating allure’.
‘They often embody qualities that society finds irresistibly appealing – think physical fitness, unwavering discipline, and fierce competitiveness,’ she explains.
This feeds into the idea of social comparison theory, where Dr Bishop shares we often gauge our self-worth by comparing ourselves to others, so we feel drawn to athletes.
‘They’re celebrated for their successes and glamorous lifestyles, and represent an aspirational standard, making them highly desirable partners,’ Dr Bishop adds.
These are obviously all very alluring qualities, and it seems even celebs aren’t immune, with popular actress Claire Holt taking to Instagram to swoon over the Spanish rugby team.
This fascination with sports stars is also a spicy fire that’s fed by the likes of TikTok, Instagram and X, as well as celebs.
‘Enter social media, the ultimate megaphone that amplifies the presence of athletes,’ Dr Bishop says. ‘With their achievements and enviable lifestyles on full display, athletes become larger-than-life figures.’
If we look at cultivation theory, it’s no wonder we’re so obsessed with them. Our constant exposure to media is thought to shape our perceptions of reality, meaning we may find ourselves drawn to athletes, not just for their prowess, but for their dazzling lifestyle showcased online.
There’s even a dedicated book genre which has gone viral on TikTok, dedicated to hot steamy romances based around a protagonists attraction to a major sports star.
Best-selling romance novel Ice Breaker is a prime example, where an ice skater meets a sexy ice hockey player and sparks fly. Videos about the book have up to seven million views each – with ice hockey teams reading the spicy scenes for views.
Sports like Formula One and American football have also served as a storyline for saucy reads, with captivated bookworms relishing in imagining they’re living a wag lifestyle.
It’s quite plausible that this glamorous lifestyle that comes with dating an athlete is a driving force when it comes to dating sportsmen and women.
Dr Bishop points out that social exchange theory suggests relationships are formed based on the perceived benefits and costs.
‘Individuals may pursue relationships with athletes or successful figures because they believe these partnerships will enhance their own social standing or fulfil certain lifestyle aspirations,’ she explains.
‘This dynamic can work well if both individuals are aware of and agree on their motivations, fostering a relationship built on shared goals rather than just individual compatibility.’
There are only so many successful athletes in the world though, and for some of us who aren’t dating one, we eagerly follow the escapades of the wags from our chosen sports.
TikTok star Alix Earle dates American football star Braxton Berrios, who plays for the Miami Dolphins. She even did a Hot Mess podcast episode with him where she asks him how girls can slide into athlete’s DMs and get noticed.
Influencer Morgan Riddle, who’s dating tennis star Taylor Fritz, has more than half a million followers on TikTok and documents her fashion-forward outfits as she supports her man at Wimbledon. Some of her videos reach nearly eight million views.
Taylor Swift even became a wag, frequenting Travis Kelce’s football games before causing a stir as she attended this year’s Super Bowl, where the Chiefs won. Many envied her sport spectating with her star-studded friends which included Blake Lively and Hugh Jackman.
In an iconic Eras Tour performance she sang: ‘Karma is the guy on the Chiefs coming straight home to me.’ Yes, we’d brag about it too, Taylor.
Let’s not forget the hype around England’s football wags, which has been going on for decades. It stems from the likes of Cheryl Cole and Victoria Beckham, all the way through the Wagatha Christie drama involving Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney, to the current Megan Pickford and Tolami Benson.
Dr Bishop says: ‘The intrigue surrounding wags taps into our fascination with celebrity culture. This phenomenon can be explained through para-social relationships, where fans feel a sense of connection to public figures.
‘Wags represent a blend of glamour and sports culture that captivates the public.’
The hot successful and decorated athlete partner, as well as the social media fame and status that comes with dating one, is no doubt appealing to some, and Dr Bishop doesn’t really see an issue with this.
‘There’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting a partner who can provide a desirable lifestyle, especially when both individuals are on the same page about their values and desires,’ she says.
‘When both partners consciously seek this alignment, it can create a fulfilling dynamic where aspirations and goals complement each other.
‘However, the key lies in mutual awareness – if the pursuit of lifestyle overshadows genuine emotional connection, relationships may lack depth and run into trouble later on.’
While the allure of athletes and the lifestyles they represent can be intoxicating, promoting healthy relationships based on emotional intelligence and genuine compatibility is what is most important, Dr Bishop explains.
And we couldn’t agree more. Encouraging self-reflection can lead to deeper, more enriching relationships, steering us toward lasting connections that resonate on a personal level.
But, if they’re also a hot athlete – it wouldn’t hurt.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.