Olympic Pistol Sharpshooter Yusuf Dikec Trademarks Viral Stance
Turkey’s Pistol Sharpshooter Yusuf Dikec Trademarks Viral Olympic Stance
Turkish Olympic pistol sharpshooter Yusuf Dikec has taken steps to protect the commercial use of his nonchalant stance at the Paris Games, which became a viral sensation worldwide. His coach, Erdinc Bilgili, revealed that they filed a trademark application with the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office to prevent others from exploiting Dikec’s pose without his consent.
Dikec’s seemingly effortless stance, with his hands casually tucked into his pockets, inspired a deluge of memes online. Some likened him to the fictional spy James Bond, while Tesla founder Elon Musk shared a video of himself imitating the pose. The stance also gained popularity among fellow athletes, with Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson replicating it after scoring against Crystal Palace in the English Premier League.
The widespread imitation and commercialization of Dikec’s pose prompted the trademark application. Bilgili stated that they had received information about numerous trademark registration initiatives carried out without Dikec’s knowledge, leading them to file their own application. He added that the other applications had been rejected.
Dikec’s pose has become a symbol of his calm and collected demeanor under pressure. In an interview with AFP, he explained that the hand-in-pocket technique was simply a way to maintain stability and balance. “There’s nothing more to it,” he said.
The Turkish trademark office has yet to comment on the application. However, various memorabilia bearing Dikec’s likeness, including T-shirts, mugs, and mobile phone covers, have already gone on sale.
Dikec’s trademark application highlights the growing importance of protecting intellectual property in the digital age. As viral moments and images become increasingly valuable, athletes and other public figures are taking steps to safeguard their commercial rights.