London 2012: Team GB Athletes' Social Media Profiles 'Explode' After Medal Success

Team GB Social Media Profiles 'Explode' After Medal Success

The focus of the Olympics might have moved to the athletics track, but as ever the real battle for hearts and minds is taking place online.

Social media marketing company Wildfire, recently bought by Google for £159m, has been tracking Team GB athletes and the effect that winning medals - or not - has on their online profile.

Among the biggest successes so far has been shooting gold medallist Peter Wilson, who saw his followers on Twitter grow from 600 to more than 3,600 after his heroics at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich.

Here are some of the other highlights, courtesy of Wildfire:

  • Judo silver medallist Gemma Gibbons has seen her followers on Twitter boom from 600 to more than 22,600 in the past 24 hours - incredible success in the social media stakes. Her Facebook profile also experienced growth in likes of more than 3000%
  • Team GBs cyclists "had a successful day off the track as well as bringing home a gold medal" says Wildfire. Chris Hoy saw his Facebook likes increase by 30% in 24 hours, to more than 17,000 likes. Chris Froome gained 30% more likes in the same time frame earlier in the week
  • Although Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish were disqualified on the track, their support continued on Facebook. Pendleton saw a 5% lift in likes on her page, and Jess's likes went up 7%, to almost 5,000 likes
  • Bradley Wiggins saw his Twitter followers soar on Wednesday by 28%, to more than 381,200 - not bad given considering all the attention he received after his Tour De France victory
  • The 'greatest Olympian of all time' Michael Phelps saw his Facebook 'Likes' grow by 150,000 in the past week
  • Chad Le Clos, the underdog who defeated Phelps in the butterfly, saw his fan base grow by over 300% in a two day period

We'll keep you updated with the latest stats all through the Olympic games.

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