If you needed more proof of just how iconic Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikeç has become during these 2024 Paris Olympics, look no further than Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis on Monday.
Last week, Dikeç, a silver medalist in his fifth Olympic Games, became an internet sensation after his laid-back shooting pose went viral. While his outward appearance was calm, he was apparently anything but.
Still, Dikeç’s vibe seems to have caught fire in Paris, as Duplantis imitated Dikeç’s pose after one of his vaults en route to a gold medal and new world record. Duplantis stood back, made a pistol with his right hand and stuck his left hand slightly down his pants (maybe next Olympics, he can get some pockets on his uniform).
Yeah, so Mondo DuPlantis just celebrated like Turkish shooter guy.#olympics pic.twitter.com/O3CxvSNlwa
Ben Birnell (@BB_URSentinel) August 5, 2024
While it’s unclear if this conversation happened before or after Duplantis’ celebration, it was a topic of discussion during the competition between the Swede and Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis.
Wait Emmanouil Karalis and Mondo Duplantis talking about the Türkiye shooter memes amid the world record attempts in the mens pole vault final is actually so funny. pic.twitter.com/rrOI6kzGzY
Gabrielle Scheder-B (GSB) (@gschederb) August 5, 2024
Given his incredible performance in the pole vault final, Duplantis was going to make headlines anyway, but he added a funny moment to his legend.