The Olympics might be over, but there’s one arena where athletes can continue to compete: Twitter.
It makes sense that winning an Olympic gold medal would increase your Twitter following. Practically overnight, an athlete can go from relative obscurity to being an international icon. James O’Malley over at Alphr wanted to know exactly how far a gold medal can get you on social media, so he set off to crunch the numbers. After finding 353 competitors from the 2016 Rio Games currently using the platform, O’Malley started tracking the ebb and flow of each athlete’s following starting on Day 3 of the Olympics.
His findings were somewhat surprising. Out of his pool of social media proficient athletes, cyclist Laura Trott took home the grand prize with an increase of 83,000 Twitter followers. While her two gold medals definitely put her on the virtual map, the bump in followers might also have something to do with the media attention she and her partner, Jason Kenny, received following one British commentator’s sexist remark. The fact that Kenny himself saw an increase of nearly 52,000 followers further backs up that theory. These are big jumps for Trott and Kenny considering they started with just 206,000 and 44,000 followers, respectively.
Other athletes might not notice the uptick their medals bring since they already had so many followers to begin with. Such is the case with 22-year-old diving champ Tom Daley, who already had more than 2.5 million followers before the games began. Winning a bronze medal for men’s synchronized diving was enough to garner him an additional 60,000 Twitter fans.
But if we’re talking about a percentage increase, cyclist Callum Skinner won the Twitter Games by a landslide with a 700-percent boost in followers. Going into Rio, Skinner had a little over 2,000 followers. But after winning one silver and one gold medal, he saw that number spike to 15,000. As you can see, there are more ways to win than one—just as in the real Olympics.
To check out the full analysis, head over to Alphr.
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This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.