Olympic Athlete Repeatedly Flips Off Entire World

And he didn't even lose

August 9, 2016 9:00 am

As we’ve learned from the extensive Olympic sob stories NBC is forever oversharing with us, parents generally play a key role in an athlete’s success.

That’s why this Canadian swimmer gives his dad a shout out before each race.

By flipping him off.

The unorthodox display of affection is a tradition between Santo Condorelli and his father, Joseph. Before each race the 21-year-old proudly flashes an extended middle to his father in the stands, who sends the symbol right back.

Condorelli is now recognized for his signature, pre-race ritual. 

Joseph said that the tradition helps calm his son down before a race. “He got a lot of his aggravation out with just a really simple ‘Give it to the world,’” Joseph said.

As strange as the ritual is, it seems to work. The Olympian advanced to the 100-meter freestyle semifinals on Tuesday, and later this week, he will continue to compete for Canada — a nation that once had a reputation for niceness that Condorelli has pretty much obliterated. 

Santo will race in the 50-meter freestyle on Thursday, but win or lose, his obscene gesture has already made him the Games’ breakout star.

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