Every four years the Olympics draw in millions of people to see their favorite events. This year it looks like there’s a new event joining the games. Although, it’s not your ordinary type of athletic event.

Social media is a huge part of many peoples’ lives nowadays. Naturally people are drawn to popular trends, and are pushed to join in. A popular trend among teens right now is to participate in the so-called “Selfie Olympics.” The Selfie Olympics consist of people taking the most outrageous selfies possible.

“I saw someone doing a headstand in a sink, which is probably not good for his neck,” freshman Danielle Dragovich said. “I saw so many people balancing on top of doors. I saw someone inside their fish tank.”

In some peoples’ opinions, these pictures may be just as dangerous to take as some of the Olympic sports are to participate in.

“Besides the fact that taking these pictures takes no talent whatsoever, I believe this trend is so dumb,” said Ellie Chramosta. “It truly takes attention away from the real stars here; the athletes that actually have talent to compete in a real sport.”

Athletes spend years in preparation for the Olympics. It’s their chance at getting the gold and being in the spotlight. You don’t get anything for laying in the snow in your swimsuit or lighting yourself on fire.

“The Olympic sports are of course outrageous, but in a good way. Those are professional and trained athletes,” freshman Taylor Godwin said. “Some of those poses people are doing are just for attention, and they could end up severely injured.”

Some of these pictures have gotten good laughs, but others have “sparked” up some serious conversation. Many of these selfies seem to fit into ‘If-your-friend-jumped-off-a-bridge-would-you-follow?’ category. For some of these teens, the answer to that question has been a yes.

Since one person began this Twitter account, of course it’s only natural for people to follow and jump in on the action. It seems that lots of teens feel that these selfies are on the verge of crossing the line to extremely dangerous, but the trend has not let up.

“I wouldn’t even light myself on fire for a million dollars,” said freshman Jennifer Jones. “Let alone for attention on Twitter.”

The acts of nearly 90,000  teens around the world in this new game called “Selfie Olympics” has been the cause for some laughs among people. Maybe next time, though, when the Olympics come around, people will have a safer way to re-create the Olympics.

“The Olympics are a huge deal, and I get that people enjoy having fun and finding a way to join in without actually being an Olympian. But maybe there will be better ways for people to share laughter and enjoy the Olympics together.”

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