The 2018 Winter Olympics have been about more than just the ruthless competitive spirit to be the “best” country in the world—it’s been about having fun, too. French figure skater Chafik Besseghier’s performance of “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang proves it.
Figure skaters this year took advantage of their new ability to use songs with lyrics. Besseghier dressed like a taxi driver and snuck in some fancy footwork for his short program performance to the 1979 classic. He didn’t medal this year officially, but many say he took home the gold for best songtrack.
Olympics watchers loved it (and far more than the dude who chose “Wonderwall” as his track).
The guy skating to “rappers delight” wins
— Matt Brandon (@fakeeddymerckx) February 16, 2018
The man to do it is the French figure skater skating to Rappers Delight. https://t.co/RGjr3pmQQZ
— Elina Alayeva (@ohelina) February 16, 2018
I CAN'T EVEN PROCESS THIS ENOUGH TO JUDGE IT Y'ALL. THIS FRENCHMAN IS DANCING TO A MASHUP OF RAPPERS DELIGHT AND NEW YORK TRAFFIC SOUNDS WHILE WEARING AN UNTIED TAXI-CHECKERED BOW TIE
— several cutscenes out of sequence (@crazelivetweets) February 16, 2018
"this is very french" TARA WHAT ARE U TALKING ABOUT
https://twitter.com/themusicalrunr/status/964307541835567104
Meanwhile, Mexican athlete German Madrazo captured hearts when he blazed across the finish line in last place at the 15km cross country, swinging a Mexican flag and was lifted up into the air by fellow underdogs. Madrazo just learned how to ski a year ago, according to the Huffington Post.
Madrazo’s and his fellow competitors enthusiasm reminds everyone that it’s not just about winning a medal. Competing at all in the games is an honor in of itself that should be celebrated regardless of the outcome.
Mexican cross-country skier German Madrazo crossed the finish line last, but he was all smiles as he did it proudly carrying his nation's flag. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8qILNmFjyE
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/Serrano_Lorence/status/964512518885396483
German Madrazo is a 43-year-old cross country skier from Mexico. He took up skiing in 2017 and spent the year training with pals from Tonga and Chile.
— ⭐ amy o'connor ⭐ (@amyohconnor) February 16, 2018
Today he finished dead last in the men's 15km and got a hero's welcome at the finish line 😍 #PyeongChang2018 pic.twitter.com/MlvajTZbuH
Love this Winter Olympics picture.
— Ben Bloom (@benbloomsport) February 16, 2018
26 minutes after the winner, Mexican cross country skier German Madrazo is welcomed by friends/rivals from Colombia, Tonga, Morocco and Portugal as he finishes.
They came 111 / 113 / 114 / 115 / 116 (out of 116) and are absolutely buzzing. pic.twitter.com/n4wJri1Te0
Athletes like Besseghier and Madrazo may not be gold medalists—or anything close it—but they win the Olympics because of their commitment to the true spirit of the international games; they promote peace, friendship, and good sportsmanship.