Who Said Dating Apps Were Dead? Swiping In Paris Is The New Olympic Sport

You’d think that with gold medals and infinite bragging rights on the table, the Olympic athletes wouldn’t be able to do anything but eat, sleep, and breathe their respective competitions. But alas, we are all human (even those of us who basically have superhuman abilities), and that means that Olympians — like the rest of us — get lonely (and horny) too. I mean, didn’t you see Ilona Maher’s viral TikToks about the Olympic Village actually being the “Olympic Villa”? Or the rumors about how *dirty* the Olympic Village can get?

So even though the general population of less athletically-inclined people have virtually given up on dating apps, apparently the Olympians aren’t ready to throw in the towel yet when it comes to love and sex. In fact, they’re bringing the apps to the Paris games with them.

Image Credit: Bryn Lennon / Staff via Getty Images

Increased Use Of Tinder In Olympic Village

Who needs a medal when you can match? JK, I’m pretty sure these athletes want both. But in the days leading up to the Paris 2024 Olympics, TikTokers have been buzzing with the idea of changing their dating app locations to Paris for the sole purpose of trying to land themselves as an Olympic boo. And guess what? It’s not just a trend, it’s a movement. Bumble confirmed that they’ve seen a surge in users tweaking their profiles to include Paris and mentions of the Games. Tinder? They’re seeing a nearly 20% uptick in swiping activity in France, with a whopping 103% increase in Passport Mode usage.

Tinder’s “Passport Mode” is basically your golden ticket to swipe right around the world. With this feature, you can change your location to anywhere — yes, anywhere — on the globe and start matching with locals there. Or you know, athletes visiting for the Olympics.

There’s also been a 52% rise in profiles claiming ‘Olympian’ and a 43% increase in those listing ‘athlete’ as their job in Paris, so either athletes are getting on the apps in droves or some catfishes are enjoying the scam of a lifetime. Even Grindr is making updates to protect users by disabling location-based features in the Olympic Village, ensuring LGBTQ+ athletes can connect without unwanted attention. So, while athletes are chasing glory on the field, they’re also scoring some romantic wins off it.

How To Change Your Location On Tinder

Tinder’s Passport Mode is available with Tinder Plus and Gold, lets you change your location to anywhere on the planet. Want to match with someone in Paris while you’re still lounging at home in your PJs? Passport Mode’s got you covered.

To use it, just go to your settings, find the “Swiping in” section, and choose the city of your dreams (aka the City of Love and hot, medalists). And if you’re using Tinder Gold, you can see who’s already swiped right on you in your new location, making it even easier to line up dates before you arrive.

As for the costs, Tinder Plus will set you back about $13.49 per month, but if you commit to a year, it drops to $4.50 per month. Tinder Gold is a bit pricier at around $24.99 per month, or $12.50 per month for a year-long subscription​. But the potential of bagging yourself an Olympic bae? Priceless.

Where Is The Olympic Village In Paris

Alright, if you’re planning on stalking Olympic athletes (kidding, sort of), here’s the scoop on where they’ll be staying in Paris. The 2024 Olympic Village is set up in a super picturesque and strategic location spread across three communes: Saint-Denis, Saint-Ouen, and Île Saint-Denis. This area, nestled along the Seine, is not only beautiful but also eco-friendly since its known for its eco-friendly design. It looks like the athletes will be living in a futuristic, green utopia with chic Parisian vibes​. I suggest you whip out your Google Maps. Happy swiping!