Ring lights to Olympic rings: Mass. natives share their Olympics experiences through social media

These Olympians from MA rack up medals and rack up views on social media while competing to be the best of the best in Paris.

Only a select few (okay, select 10,500) people really get to see what it’s like to be an Olympian. Previously, the rest of us got to watch them perform from the stands, our TVs, or our phones, and that was it. Social media has changed that.

Content creation and social media has upended how fans interact with the Olympics. You have viral stars like Ilona Maher, of Burlington, Vermont, using her TikTok account to showcase women’s rugby. But you also have Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez, of Boston, showing her point of view as she shoots archery under the Esplanade des Invalides.

Social media content, whether posted by an official organization like Team USA or an athlete themself, is a relatively new way to view the games. Data released by the United Talent Agency showed that around 80 percent of Olympics viewers in the US planned to engage with the games via social media, Deadline reported.

If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like inside the Olympic Village, what an athlete about to compete eats in a day, or how an Olympian celebrates a win, these Massachusetts natives have you covered.

Gabby Thomas

Harvard alum Gabby Thomas is from Northampton. She’s in Paris looking to add a third medal to her collection for track and field. On TikTok, she posts what her practices look like, vlogs from around Paris, and a few Olympic Village tours.

@itsgabbythomas they didnt have to snap like that😂 #fyp #olympics #brat #paris #usa #track ♬ original sound – gabbriette

Frederick Richard

Stoughton native Frederick Richard — FredrikFlips on social media — might spend more time in the air than on the ground. His sport is artistic gymnastics, where he specializes in all-around exercises. You can catch him on TikTok posting practice videos, a Team USA gear haul, and a room tour of his Village dorm.

@frederickflips What an unbelievable night🤌🏾 one more to go.. #olympics #usa #paris #emotional ♬ My eyes slowed and reverb – Octive down

Kristi Kirshe

Rugby player Kristi Kirshe is from Franklin. She and the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team just won a bronze medal, a first for the U.S. in women’s rugby. After some apparent prodding from teammate and fellow content creator Ilona Maher, Kirshe started posting Instagram reels. Her videos show her Team USA gear, practice videos, and what rugby plays looks like from her point of view.

Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez

Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez was born in Boston, but moved to Mexico when she was young. She returned home to chase her dream of competing in the Olympics. The archer has posted a few videos to Instagram showing what it’s like to compete in Paris.

Ruby Remati

Artistic swimmer Ruby Remati is vlogging much of her experience at her very first Olympics. On TikTok, the Andover native vlogged the Opening Ceremony from her point of view, and recently reviewed one of the TikTok-famous chocolate muffins in the Olympic Village dining hall.

@roooooobsss Loll #olympicvillage #olympicvillagebeds #TeamUSA ♬ WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE – Jayy

Zuri Ferguson

Zuri Ferguson was born in Attelboro, but is representing Trinidad and Tobago. The 17-year-old swimmer posts mainly pin trading reviews to TikTok.

@zuri..ferguson officially an olympian ✅ #olympics #trinidadandtobago #swimming #olympian #paris ♬ original sound – A2