While sports are usually about medals, records, and memorable performances, sometimes, unexpected moments steal the spotlight instead.
From wardrobe malfunctions to accidental hot-mic comments and viral broadcast clips, these athletes found themselves trending for reasons they probably never expected.
Here is Bored Panda’s list of 10 athletes who revealed more than they likely intended and quickly became the talk of social media.
#1 Charles Leclerc
Ferrari’s lead driver, Charles Leclerc, topped the morning session during Bahrain pre-season testing in February 2026 but ended up trending for an entirely different reason.
A live broadcast briefly showed the Ferrari driver adjusting his race suit in the garage, momentarily grabbing his private area. This freeze-frame of the moment quickly spread across social media.
Viewers online turned the moment into a joke instead of discussing his lap time of 1:33.739, which was the fastest of the session.
“He is massive,” one user wrote, while another referenced his fiancé, Alexandra Saint Mleux, adding, “No wonder Alexandra is happy.”
Despite the frenzy, Leclerc completed 70 laps and positioned Ferrari strongly ahead of the upcoming season opener.
Image source: Clive Rose/Getty Images, makensycrave
#2 Arno Kamminga
Dutch swimmer Arno Kamminga went viral during the Paris 2024 Olympics after viewers fixated on his flesh-toned orange swim trunks during the Men’s 100m Breaststroke.
The tight design created an optical illusion that made him appear nearly naked on broadcast, sparking widespread online reactions.
“IN PUBLIC? IS THIS LEGAL?” one user wrote, while another joked, “Definitely watching for the sport.”
Despite finishing second with a time of 59.12, much of the online conversation centered on his appearance rather than his performance.
Kamminga later expressed disappointment about the result, posting, “Not what I came for” on Instagram.
Image source: Ian_MJ1, itsonlyzach
#3 Anthony Ammirati
French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati went viral at the 2024 Paris Olympics after failing to clear the 5.70-meter bar when a wardrobe mishap during his jump drew widespread online attention.
The then-21-year-old did not qualify for the final, but the clips of the attempt quickly spread across social media. He was reportedly offered a hefty $250,000 to showcase his infamous “asset” on camera by a popular adult entertainment company, Camsoda.
Despite the viral reaction, Ammirati said he was “100% there physically” and described the result as a “big disappointment.” He further explained that a minor adductor issue had limited his final attempts, but insisted he was close to clearing the height.
Image source: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images, iamedgardosicat
#4 Gabriella Papadakis
French ice dancer Gabriella Papadakis suffered a wardrobe malfunction during her short dance at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics when her costume came undone mid-routine, briefly exposing her nipple.
She was skating with Guillaume Cizeron at the Gangneung Ice Arena.
Papadakis later called it her “worst nightmare”, adding, “My costume opened up… I tried to stay focused and finish.”
Despite scoring 81.93 and placing second in the segment, they ultimately won silver with a 205.28 overall. Cizeron admitted the issue was “frustrating” and likely cost them crucial points.
Image source: Peter Kneffel/Getty Images
#5 Rick Berens
American swimmer Ricky Berens suffered a wardrobe malfunction moments before competing in the men’s 4x100m relay at the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome.
While stretching behind the starting blocks, the Olympic gold medalist accidentally tore his full-body racing suit.
“I kind of freaked out for just a second,” Berens said. “I felt like it was almost down to my knees. I felt like I was putting on a pretty good show.”
Despite the split, Berens completed his leg of the relay and helped the United States secure gold.
At the time, high-tech bodysuits were already controversial, with FINA later banning full-body suits in 2010 over fairness concerns.
Image source: leon me
#6 Tang Qianting
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Chinese swimmer Tang Qianting went viral after viewers noticed an optical illusion created by her two-toned Speedo swimsuit.
As she lined up for the Women’s 100m Breaststroke, the blue-and-teal design blended into the poolside background, making her waist appear unusually tiny on camera.
A TikTok clip of the moment gained over 7 million views. One user joked, “Olympic or O*empic?”
Image source: adamclayton_
#7 Flavia Zoccari
During the 2009 Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy, an Italian swimmer, Flavia Zoccari, was left in tears after her high-tech Jaked J01 bodysuit split at the rear just before a race.
The swimmer was forced to withdraw from the event after the £318 full-body suit malfunctioned in an awkward spot.
Zoccari, who stands nearly six feet tall, later apologized for the incident as the wardrobe malfunction overpowered her competition appearance.
Image source: GnocchiGene
#8 Jules Bouyer
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, French diver Jules Bouyer went viral after viewers zeroed in on his appearance in tight swim briefs during the men’s synchronized 3m springboard event.
Underwear brand Shinesty capitalized on the moment, publicly offering Bouyer a lifetime supply of underwear and proposing a themed product line.
He responded by downplaying the attention, saying he preferred people focus on his dives rather than his swimsuit.
“If it amuses some people to look at my underwear, that’s their problem. That being said, we must also not forget that [those kinds of comments] can take other athletes out of their bubble and that can hurt their performance,” he said, according to L’Est Républicain.
Image source: jules_bouyer
#9 Jutta Leerdam
At the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam sparked debate after winning gold in the 1,000m and briefly unzipping her suit in celebration, revealing a Nike sports bra.
Marketing experts suggested the emotional moment could translate into major endorsement value, estimating a potential seven-figure boost given her 6.2 million Instagram followers and existing Nike partnership.
While brands quickly celebrated her record-breaking performance, online reactions were divided.
“Perhaps it’s everything wrong with the world right here. It almost seems it was planned, who knows, did she get some PR spin advice before competing from the marketing execs over there at Niki.. given her b.f is also a PR hounddog,” said one.
Despite the backlash, Leerdam’s Olympic record kept her firmly in the spotlight.
Image source: juttaleerdam, TNT Sports
#10 Joep Wennemars And Michele Malfatti
Though Italy captured gold in the men’s team pursuit at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, much of the online attention shifted to Joep Wennemars and Michele Malfatti after broadcast clips from the speed skating venue began circulating on X.
A post featuring screenshots of the athletes in their race suits sparked thousands of reactions. One user wrote, “Every day I see the proof that Dutch men are so big.”
Another added, “Idk what I need more, them or their gym routine…”
Image source: ThottSummers, TrellBeyloved
