The 2024 Paris Olympics have brought together athletes from all over the world, competing for glory and pushing the limits of human achievement. But alongside the intense competition, there is also a lighter, more playful side to the Games: the pursuit of love and connection. For some athletes, the Olympic Village has become a place not just for athletic competition, but also for personal exploration 

The United States is currently leading the medal count with 30 total medals, though only five of those are gold. While Team USA is making waves in the pool, on the track, and across the field, some athletes are also seeking to make connections off the field. One of those athletes is American rower Emily Delleman, who recently took to TikTok to share her experience of trying to find love in the City of Love itself – Paris.

Delleman, a member of the U.S. rowing team, is embracing the full experience of the Olympics, including the social opportunities presented by the Olympic Village. With a light-hearted attitude, she’s documenting her journey on TikTok, revealing her attempts to use dating apps like Tinder to connect with fellow Olympians and locals alike.

Emily Delleman’s TikTok post, filled with humor and candidness, captures the essence of her quest. She recounts how she decided to change her Tinder location to the Olympic Village, inspired by other athletes who were “hyping it up.” With a playful spirit, she shared her thought process, saying, “When in Rome, or in this case, when in Paris, you have to take full advantage of the situation.”

In her TikTok video, Delleman laughs about her initial excitement at the prospect of meeting fellow Olympians through Tinder. However, her expectations didn’t quite match reality. Despite setting her location to a one-mile radius around the Olympic Village, she found that only two other Olympians appeared in her matches.

“So I start scrolling and scrolling and I’m not seeing any Olympians,” she explained in her video. “I was like, ‘OK, my settings must be weird.’ No. I’m like, location, one-mile radius and so far I think I’ve seen a total of two other Olympians.”

Despite her lack of Olympic matches, Delleman was quick to appreciate the local Parisian men, whom she described as “beautiful.” Her humorous take on the situation won the hearts of many TikTok viewers, who resonated with the lightheartedness and honesty of her experience.

Emily Delleman’s experience highlights a side of the Olympics that isn’t often discussed. Beyond the competitions and the quest for medals, the Olympic Games are also a unique opportunity for athletes to meet people from all over the world, fostering friendships and connections that can last a lifetime.

The Olympic Village is renowned for being a melting pot of cultures, a place where athletes live side by side, sharing their dreams, challenges, and triumphs. It’s a rare environment where people from different backgrounds and nationalities come together, creating an atmosphere ripe for both camaraderie and potential romance.

Delleman’s TikTok journey shows that even amidst the pressure of competition, athletes are looking to make the most of their time in Paris, both on and off the field.

While athletes like Delleman may be searching for love, their main focus remains on their sporting achievements. The balance between personal life and professional goals is a familiar theme for many athletes, who often have to sacrifice personal pursuits in favor of rigorous training and competition schedules.

However, the Olympics provide a unique setting where these two worlds can sometimes collide. For athletes who spend years dedicated to their sport, the Games offer a chance to step outside their usual routines and engage with the world in a different way.

In the end, Emily Delleman’s TikTok serves as a reminder that the Olympics are not just about records and medals, but also about the human experience. The friendships and memories made during these Games are often as cherished as the victories themselves.

As the Paris 2024 Olympics continue, athletes like Delleman will keep striving for success, both in their sports and in their personal lives. Whether or not they find love in the City of Love, they will undoubtedly return home with stories that reflect the spirit of the Games – one of competition, connection, and camaraderie.