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The celebrities who have come out of nowhere to loudly and proudly support Team USA have been a highlight of the 2024 Olympics. But two of those celebrities made some real magic on Thursday after seeing a social media post from Team USA discus thrower Veronica Fraley.
Fraley, 24, is a student-athlete at Vanderbilt University. On X (formerly Twitter), she posted about her unfortunately common financial situation: Despite being an elite athlete about to compete in the Olympics, she can’t pay her rent.
I’m competing in the Olympics TOMORROW and I can’t even pay my rent 😒 my school only pays 75% of my rent, while they pay football players (who haven’t won anything yet 😂) enough to buy new cars and houses 👎🏾👎🏾👎🏾
— Veronica™⚓️ (@vmfraley) August 1, 2024
Fraley put her thoughts into words and sent them to the internet. Usually, nothing happens (or at least nothing good). But this time, a kind soul who saw her tweet tagged Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian and rapper and avid Team USA supporter Flava Flav. Both are in Paris to watch the Games, and both saw her plea. They both promised to help.
I get you,,, send me a DM and I will send the payment TODAY so you don’t have to worry TOMORROW,,, and I will keep my fingers crossed for you tomorrow, LET GO!!!
— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) August 1, 2024
And as promised, they both did.
I just sent you a DM, I get you
— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) August 1, 2024
The internet can be a cold, mean, hurtful place, but today the internet had its arms wide open and was ready to embrace Fraley in a big digital hug. Her mentions and comments are now filled with hundreds and hundreds of people sympathizing with her, wishing her well, and asking where they can contribute to help her and others like her.
Flav, whose emotional and financial support for the women’s water polo team is invaluable and inspiring, found the perfect way to sum up the whole beautiful situation without making money the center.
This is the power of community,,, my girl @vmfraley 7000 people saw her tweet, only 41 people liked it, only 5 people commented, only 1 tagged me and @alexisohanian.
Now her tweet has been viewed by 10 MILLION people, her rent is paid off for the year, and people are getting her back!
— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) August 1, 2024
Millions of people have now seen Fraley’s story and are more aware of how hard it is to be an Olympian when you’re not actually at the Olympics. She’s gained an incredible new fan base, who will be cheering her on in person and from their couches when she goes for gold next week.
