The Eiffel Tower shining bright alongside the Olympic rings illuminating the Parisian night. photo by Christian Hartmann
Here’s a recap on everything that happened in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The Paris 2024 Olympics had a little bit of everything. From tight races to historic wins and concerns about venue conditions, this year’s Olympics had many moments that were filled with excitement.
One of the most memorable events came from Noah Lyles, who won gold in track for the men’s 100 meter race, becoming the first American to do so since 2004. The race was a nail-biter, with Lyles beating out his rivals by only 0.005 seconds in a dramatic finish, which was among the closest finishes in Olympic history. His win made history for the U.S. sprinting team and thrilled fans around the globe.
Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky, two of America’s greatest female athletes, also dominated the headlines. Biles, already the most decorated gymnast in history, added three more Olympic gold medals to her collection. Her incredible performances in the women’s artistic all around, vault, and team all around once again proved why she’s considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. In the pool, Ledecky made history by becoming the most decorated female U.S. Olympian ever. Her continued dominance in swimming left a lasting impression and secured her place as one of the sport’s legends. On the more surprising side, 51-year-old Yusuf Dikec from Turkey became an unlikely star in the pistol shooting event. Competing without the usual high-tech gear like special lenses or ear protection, Dikec’s calm and old-school approach took the world by a storm. With his hands in his pockets and both eyes open, he managed to win a silver medal, showing that experience can sometimes beat modern innovation.
Beyond the athletes, the media coverage of Paris 2024 was more in-depth than ever before, with many labeling it the “Social Media Olympics.” Thanks to updates and 24/7 broadcasting, every moment of the games—from record-breaking wins to smaller controversies—was captured and shared worldwide. Athletes also had more freedom this year, social media has allowed them to showcase their brand partners even more. This level of exposure allowed fans everywhere to have a personal experience of the Olympics within just a few clicks, but also put more pressure on organizers to deliver a flawless event. However, the spotlight wasn’t always flattering. Athletes began to voice concerns about the state of some competition venues and the Olympic Village, complaining about subpar conditions. This criticism aligned with frustrations from Parisians themselves, who had been protesting the disruption and financial cost of hosting the games. The combination of local backlash and athlete protests highlighted the challenges Paris faced in managing an event of such scale.
The Paris 2024 Olympics, with its blend of breathtaking victories, unexpected moments, and logistical hurdles, provided a mix of emotions for fans and participants alike. The Games reflected both the glory of sport and the complexities of staging such a massive global event. It’s hard to condense a two-week period as jam-packed with memorable moments as these incredible Paris Olympics, but these games will forever go down in history.
