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U.S. Luger Sophia Kirkby Turns Olympic Village Dating Diary Into Social-Media Surge

The 24-year-old reports hundreds of daily messages, using the attention to spotlight her pottery as well as luge.

Overview

  • Kirkby says she receives an estimated 15–30 dating inquiries per hour in the Olympic Village, totaling hundreds each day.
  • She shared a Valentine's Day date with an American based in the UK that featured a spa visit followed by a Michelin-starred restaurant.
  • Her Instagram following has risen from about 3,000 before the Games to roughly 43,000 during the competition.
  • In competition, she finished fifth in women's doubles with Chevonne Forgan and also took fifth in the relay.
  • She plans to stay in the village through the closing ceremony while promoting her ceramics and seeking to boost interest in luge.