ADVERTISEMENT
Article created by: Viktorija Gabulaitė

With the Tokyo 2020 Olympics well underway despite the year-long delay due to Covid, the internet is abuzz with news about sports. The world of high-level sports is far more bizarre than you might imagine, however, and we’ve got the photos to prove it. Bored Panda has collected some utterly weird pics of Olympic athletes from over the years that will make you see them and the human body in an entirely different light.

As you’re scrolling down, upvote the photos that you found the most interesting. My personal favorites (and don’t let this affect you in any way) are the x-ray of the gymnast and the artistic photo of Usain Bolt with bits of the running track stuck to his back.

Whether you’re exercising to be a future Olympian or simply want to improve your health (heck, I personally want to lose some of the pounds I packed on during the last lockdown), one of the core things that you need to keep in mind is honesty.

Being honest about your goals, why you’re exercising, what you hope you achieve, and what your current fitness level is currently like is essential for anyone. Whether they're a professional athlete or someone who's putting on their first pair of running shoes. It’s from this realistic evaluation of our own abilities that we can move forward and achieve great things.

I reached out to fitness expert Jack Bly for a chat about the importance of having a proper diet and the chronic issues that some athletes face. Check out his interview with Bored Panda below.

#1

Dead Last Of Her Heat In 800 Meters, But Yet We Are All Proud Of You: Sarah Attar, First Saudi Woman To Compete In Athletics At The Olympics

Female Olympian athlete running the final lap of the 800m race, showcasing endurance and athletic performance.

jigglemybowls Report

RELATED:
    #2

    Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz Became The First Olympic Gold Medallist For The Philippines

    Olympian showing calloused hands holding a gold medal, highlighting the physical toll on athletes' bodies.

    paodelrosario Report

    #3

    Size Difference Between Simone Biles And A US Volleyball Player David Lee

    Tall and short Olympians standing back to back in a sports therapy room showing size difference of athletes.

    Simone_Biles Report

    #4

    I Was Born With A Condition: Pectus Excavatum. Which I Know Sounds Like A Harry Potter Spell. My Deformity Began Appearing Around Age 10

    Close-up and side views of a swimmer's toned upper body showcasing freaky photos of Olympians' muscular physique.

    My name is Cody Miller. I am not a typical Olympic swimmer. Like most sports the taller you are the better... Most swimmers are incredibly tall, well above 6ft... I'm 5'11 and only weigh 170lbs. More often than not, I'm the smallest person in the pool. My condition puts stress on my respiratory system. Tests have shown that my sunken sternum and odd placement of other bones has caused a reduced lung capacity... To what extent is unknown. Doctors have said my maximum breathing capacity is likely reduced by 12-20%. Also... I'm diagnosed asthmatic... Which I leaned, from studies run on me in college, has nothing to do with my pectus condition. I live with difficult circumstances for a swimmer. Despite my disadvantages, I've dedicated my life to swimming... And I've never gave up. Like a lot of you, I have struggled with body image problems through out my life. I struggled with my appearance from a young age. I was a kid who was afraid to take off his shirt in gym class... people thought I was weird. At swim meets, I walked around the pool deck awkwardly while people stared and pointed at me. I was weird and abnormal... However, I've realized this: No one is 100% satisfied with the way they look. Everyone has some thing about themselves they dislike. And that's OK! Professional athletes, models... everyone has their own insecurities! I've embraced the fact that I have a giant hole in my chest! It's OK! Monday night. June 27th, 2016 in Omaha Nebraska. USA Swimming Olympic Trials took place at the CenturyLink Center live on NBC, in front of a crowd of 17,500 people, I swam in lane 5 of the Finals of the men's 100 meter breast stroke. Only 2 athletes per event qualify for the Olympic Games. 2 swimmers to represent the U.S.A in the 100 meter breast stroke... I'd been dreaming about this moment my entire life. One wrong move and it's over... The pressure of a life long dream... Years and years of training. Thousands and thousands of hours of preparation for a race that lasts 59 seconds... 2 lengths of the pool... 1 start... 1 turn... 1 finish... 1 moment... 1 opportunity... I did it... The feeling is still indescribable... I qualified for the Rio Olympics. My new Olympic team mate and I hug.Seeing the Olympic rings next to my name... I try not to cry... I did... like a baby...

    BatmansBreastroke Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Leg Muscles Of The First Perfect 10 In Olympic History, At Age 14. Nadia Comaneci

    Female Olympian gymnast performing a balance beam routine showcasing strength and flexibility in front of a focused audience.

    mega002 Report

    #6

    An X-Ray Of A Gymnast Performing An Exercise

    X-ray image showing detailed bone structure of an athlete’s head and spine, revealing a new perspective on the human body.

    SomeAccountThatIs Report

    #7

    It May Look Easy On TV, But Just A Reminder Of What The Ski Jumpers Are Staring At. View From The Top Of The Olympic Ski Jump In Sochi, Russia

    View from a ski jump hill with legs in blue shoes, showing a unique perspective related to Olympians and athletes.

    olya_samy Report

    #8

    It's All About The Olympics

    Underwater photo of an athlete creating bubble rings, showcasing a unique perspective on the human body in sports.

    scverschuren Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Ex-World Champion Cyclist Janez Brajkovic Leg After A Race

    Close-up of a muscular athlete’s leg showing detailed veins and muscle definition, highlighting the human body’s strength.

    janibrajkovic Report

    #10

    Throwing Out The First Pitch For The Houston Astro's

    Athlete performing a backflip on a baseball field showcasing strength and agility in a dynamic sports moment.

    simonebiles Report

    #11

    Feet From Dutch Olympic Swimming Champion Maarten Van Der Weijden After Swimming 163 Km/101 Mi In 55 Hours To Raise Money For Cancer Research

    Wrinkled feet of an athlete after prolonged water exposure, showcasing a freaky perspective on the human body in sports.

    mvdweijden Report

    #12

    4'8" Olympic Gymnast Simone Biles Standing Next To 7'1" Shaq

    Tall male athlete wearing a suit and female Olympian posing together, showcasing unique athletic physiques.

    Simone_Biles Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Olympians Alexander Volkov (Volleyball) And Seda Tutkhalyan (Gymnast). Team Russia

    Two Russian Olympians wearing matching outfits, showcasing the unique physical differences of athletes.

    sedatutkhalian_13 Report

    #14

    After Blazing Up The Track I Take It With Me

    Muscular athlete standing on track with black oil spots on back, showcasing a unique perspective on the human body.

    usainbolt Report

    #15

    After Sixteen Stages In Tour De France I Think My Legs Look Little Tired

    Close-up of an athlete’s muscular and veined legs showcasing the human body's unique physical features.

    p.poljanskiofficial Report

    #16

    In 2009 J.R. Celski Sliced Through His Entire Left Quadriceps With His Right Skate Blade At The U.S. Olympic Trials

    Top photo shows a fallen Olympian speed skater on ice, bottom photo shows a young athlete with a leg injury at a clinic.

    My first major sports injury happened at the 2010 U.S. Short Track Speed Skating Olympic Trials. It was the competition I had to do well at in order to secure a spot on my first Olympic team. The fall happened in one of the last races of the competition, the 500 meters, known for absolute top speed. I fell in the corner and put the front six inches of my blade straight into my quad. I bounced off the pads with the blade still in my leg, looked down and had to pull it out myself because of the awkward position that I was in. I completely severed the VMO “tear drop muscle” and luckily barely missed the femoral artery which might’ve been the end. It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever gone through, especially because in the moments after, I started realizing that I might not be able to achieve the goal I set out for in the first place. If not for the people around me including my family, friends, and medical staff, I wouldn’t have been able to get back on my feet, especially in time to go to the Olympics and win two medals.

    jrcelski Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Olympic Rower's Hands

    Wrinkled, weathered hands of an athlete showing effects of long exposure to wet conditions, highlighting human body resilience.

    AlexGregoryGB , AlexGregoryGB Report

    #18

    Olympic Abs

    Three fit female athletes in bikinis showing toned muscles and abs standing on a sandy beach by the ocean.

    simonebiles Report

    #19

    When You Spend Every Day On A Bike vs. When You Retire And Ride Casually

    Close-up of athlete legs showing extreme muscle definition and vascularity for a freaky perspective on the human body.

    huzarskibartosz Report

    #20

    Dutch Track Cyclist Laurine Van Riessen Riding The Wall Of The Track At The Rio Olympics

    Two Olympian cyclists in a high-speed race on a velodrome track, showcasing athletic skill and intensity.

    SportsNerd94 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    The Difference Between An Olympic Swimmer And An Olympic Gymnast

    Two Olympians smiling together at an event, one wearing a gold medal, showcasing athletes and the human body.

    JonLuca Report

    #22

    George Hincapie's Legs After The Tour De France Race

    Close-up of an athlete's leg muscles and veins showing a unique perspective on the human body of Olympians and athletes.

    magadget Report

    #23

    British Synchronized Swimmer Olivia Federici Stretching

    Athlete performing a flexible yoga pose indoors by large windows, showcasing the human body’s strength and flexibility.

    olivia_federici Report

    #24

    Anything Possible Right?

    Male athlete in Jamaican track suit performing a gravity-defying sideways handstand showcasing the human body perspective.

    usainbolt Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    Size Difference Between Basketball Players And Gymnasts

    Two young gymnasts posing with tall Olympians on a basketball court, showcasing athletic diversity and human body perspective.

    usabasketball Report

    #26

    Hungarian Weightlifter Janos Baranyai's Right Arm Gave, Ripping Apart Ligaments And Muscle Under The Weight

    Olympian weightlifter lying on floor in pain after failed lift attempt, showing the intense strain on the human body.

    He pushed himself to lift 148 kilograms (326.3 pounds) during the men’s 77kg weightlifting competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

    Report

    #27

    The Hands Of Olympic Swimming Champion Van Der Weijden After A 163km Swim

    Close-up of aged, wrinkled hands showing the unique texture of the human body in a freaky athlete perspective.

    boredpanda.com Report

    #28

    Acrobatic Gymnastics Elite And Level 10 Training Camp At Karolyis Olympic Training Site

    A large group of athletes in a gym performing complex acrobatic poses showcasing the human body’s strength and flexibility.

    Txflip Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #29

    Simone Biles With Lebron James

    LeBron James in an orange CAVS uniform posing with a young female athlete on a basketball court after a game.

    simonebiles Report

    #30

    Wild Spring Break Night, Recovery Compression For Soreness And Movies

    Athlete sitting on zebra-print bean bag wearing Normatec recovery boots on legs in a relaxed indoor setting.

    simonebiles Report

    #31

    I Know I Am Not The Only Gymnast Who Sometimes Watches TV Like This

    Young woman demonstrating extreme flexibility on a couch, showcasing a unique perspective on the human body and athleticism.

    alyraisman Report

    #32

    How Huge US Fencer Miles Chamley-Watson's Hand Is

    Black and white photo of two athletes smiling and interacting indoors, showcasing unique perspective on athletes and the human body.

    All Smiles from Miles when I'm back again with my man, a legend Pele. Thank you always and special thank you for welcoming me to your beautiful country of Brazil. I can listen to this legend talk all day. Really humbling.

    fencer Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #33

    Dutch Gymnasts

    Two flexible athletes performing high leg stretches indoors, showcasing the remarkable human body and athletic ability.

    eythora Report

    #34

    Annemiek Van Vleuten Crashes While Leading Rio 2016 Road Race

    Injured Olympian athlete with bandage and bruise on face, showing resilience and giving a new perspective on the human body.

    AvVleuten Report

    #35

    Now This Is An Ice Bath. 30lbs Block Of Ice

    Athlete legs submerged in bathwater with large ice block, showing recovery in freaky photos of Olympians and athletes.

    ryanlochte Report

    #36

    Keeping It Real. Wild Friday Night

    Athlete relaxing on couch with a face mask and recovery device showcasing a unique view of the human body.

    alyraisman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #37

    German Cyclist Robert Forstemann And New Zealand Cyclist Greg Henderson

    Close-up of two athletes showing extreme leg muscle development in a freaky photo highlighting the human body and Olympians.

    Greghenderson1 Report

    #38

    Michael Phelps After Cupping Therapy

    Child and athlete wearing reflective sunglasses enjoying a sunny day in the pool, showcasing the human body outdoors.

    m_phelps00 Report

    #39

    Olympic Cyclist Robert Forstemann (Right) Shows Off Freakish 74 Cm Thighs

    Two athletes in matching camo cycling suits seated on a tandem bike, showcasing their muscular legs and fit bodies.

    robertfoerstemann Report

    #40

    Relaxing & Recovering. Grateful To Have Access To Such Incredible Technology To Help Heal Aches And Pains

    Athlete using red light therapy on feet while watching a video, highlighting recovery and the human body perspective.

    alyraisman Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #41

    I Have Trained Well. Hopefully I'll Have A Chance To Prove It Soon

    Veiny and muscular leg of an athlete wearing a yellow cycling shoe, highlighting the human body’s strength in sports.

    janibrajkovic Report

    #42

    The Leg Of An Olympic Runner

    Close-up of a muscular athlete's leg veins and muscles highlighting the human body's freaky physical features.

    TyroneofAfrica Report

    #43

    3 Weeks Ago I Finally Got My Knee Cleaned Up After Skiing In Pain For Years

    Athlete recovering from knee injury with bandages, cupping therapy, and acupuncture treatment on leg and knee.

    Trying to compete in both halfpipe and slopestyle, I would just try and ignore what my body was telling me. This should have happened years ago but happy the knee is starting to feel/look like the other again(not twice the size). Excited to be back skiing like my old self again!

    devinlogan Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #44

    Not A Bad View From 10m

    Two athletes standing shirtless on a platform overlooking a pool with mountains in the background showcasing the human body.

    dannielgoodfellow Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #45

    I Think I'm Doing It Wrong

    Close-up of a man with a thick white facial mask, showcasing a unique perspective on the human body.

    nathangadrian Report

    #46

    Olympic Bronze Medalist Julia Mancuso Skiing With A Swimsuit And A Sideways Cap

    Young athlete wearing a purple cap and green vest preparing for a ski race, supervised by a coach on snowy terrain.

    MarcoBrusa Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #47

    Still Plenty Of Juice Left After 7mj Of Work

    Close-up of an athlete's muscular leg and foot wearing a bright green running shoe showing the human body in detail.

    janibrajkovic Report