Conspiracy theorists claim time travel is real as footage emerges of what appears to be someone wearing AirPods in the 2008 Olympics

Conspiracy theorists have started to claim time travel is real after footage emerged of a performer at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics seemingly wearing an AirPod.

The Olympics went to China and Beijing for the first time ever just over a decade ago, and the event was a major success before heading to London for the famous 2012 Games.

As part of the traditional opening ceremony, several performers took to the stage to entertain the world and show off the country that was about to be the focus of millions worldwide.

Footage of the 2008 Games has gone viral recently, resurfacing 15 years on from the event itself.

And some beady eyes viewers have noticed that one performer in particular seems to be wearing an AirPod. That's fine, but the problem is that AirPods were released in 2016 - eight years after the Olympics.

"Yooo, I think I've found a real time traveller though," TikTok user yessirbrother narrated over a clip. "Beijing Olympics, 2008. This guy got AirPods though. China gotta explain."

Another viewer added: ""That is crazy... no one else has an AirPod."

Olympics/YouTube)

The performer, who can be seen on the Olympics official YouTube channel in a full-length film of the ceremony, appears to be wearing a long, white, plastic item in their right ear as they took to the stage.

While it's unclear what they are actually wearing, the situation does raise questions. Some viewers, though, were quick to shut down the claim with their own theories.

2008 Olympics opening ceremony

"Bluetooth earbuds existed for a long time before AirPods," explained one user, while another said: "Once again not real. They are wired, you can't see because of the quality."

And there may be a point to be made. While AirPods didn't take to the market until seven years ago, wireless earbuds have been around since 2004. Interesting one.