Top 10 Best Moments That Defined the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

From summer to winter and back again, the Olympic Games rarely fail to deliver on its promise of a joyous spectacle and celebration of sport, culture, and history. For its latest edition, the games had the extraordinary good fortune of taking place in a city and country with a people who excel at all three. As we look back on this extraordinary 17-day event, let’s explore the top 10 moments that defined the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

One cannot overstate how much the setting of Paris, France, helped to infuse the 33rd Olympiad with renewed vigor and enthusiasm after the fanless, pandemic-impacted 2020 Tokyo games (which were delayed one year to 2021). Three years later, the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris showcased athleticism and passion against the historic, breathtaking backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic cities.

From the Seine River, which hosted a one-of-a-kind athlete parade during the opening ceremonies and, for the first time in over a century, saw Olympic swimming events within its waters, to the city’s iconic Eiffel Tower, which stood sentry over runners, bikers, and most notably,  beach volleyball, Paris revitalized the spirit of the Games, reminding the world why this city is the heart of global culture and sports. Every event was electrified by the enthusiasm of athletes and fans, creating memories that will stand the test of time.

As the host country, French fans propelled its Olympic team to their best showing in a Games in nearly 125 years, but none reached greater heights than French swimmer Leon Marchand, who became the face of Paris 2024. The Toulouse, France native, lit up the pool with his performances, capturing four individual gold medals in the 200m and 400m medleys, the 200m breaststroke, and the 200m butterfly, igniting a wave of national pride.

After withdrawing from several events in Tokyo 2020 and taking time to ensure her mental well-being was as well cared for as her physical health, Simone Biles returned stronger than ever, leading the Team USA women’s gymnastics team to gold in Paris. Biles earned three more golds, including personal redemption in the individual all-around. Her comeback story, marked by grace and determination, was an inspiration to athletes around the globe.

Team USA Track and Field dominated the competition in Paris, collecting an impressive haul of medals on the track and across numerous field events. Standout performances included Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone continuing her dominance in the 400m hurdles, Noah Lyles staking claim to being the fastest man alive in the 100m, Gabby Thomas claiming gold in the 200m, and the relay teams sweeping multiple events. Unhereleded team members also contributed to the U.S. medal haul, including Cole Hocker’s shocking triumph over heavy and more seasoned favorites in the 1500-meter run. The U.S. continued its long tradition of excellence in athletics, reinforcing its position as the most formidable track and field team in Olympic history.

Swimming sensation Katie Ledecky added more gold to her already illustrious Olympic career in Paris. Ledecky officially became the most decorated female Olympian in U.S. history, winning her eighth and ninth overall Olympic gold medals while adding a silver and a bronze to her collection. Her nine gold and 14 overall Olympic medals tie her for second and fifth, respectively, all-time among Olympic medalists. Her endurance and skill in the pool remain unparalleled, and her performance in Paris solidified her legacy.

In thrilling gold medal finals, both of which pitted Team USA men's and women's basketball teams against the heavily supported and sentimental favorite French teams, both teams earned hard-fought wins. The men rode a late three-point barrage from Steph Curry to a 98-87 victory, and the women edged out a spirited French performance  67-66 to claim the gold medal. The victories reinforced the U.S.’s dominance in the sport—the men’s fifth consecutive gold medal and 17th overall, and the women’s 8th in a row and 10th overall—while showcasing the growing talent and competition in international basketball.

Paris 2024 gave the world some of the most breathtaking visual moments, none more captivating than an iconic photograph taken during the surfing competition in Tahiti. With waves towering over the athletes and the remote beauty of the French Polynesian island as a backdrop, Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina rose to the occasion, he and his upright surfboard seemingly floating above the waves off the coast of Teahupo’o. The image immediately went viral and symbolized the often-overlooked connection between sport and nature.

In an unprecedented achievement, Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic added the elusive Olympic gold medal to his already decorated career by winning the men’s singles title in Paris. With this victory, Djokovic became the third male singles tennis player in history to complete the Career Golden Slam—winning all four Grand Slam titles and the Olympic gold in singles. His victory in Paris, particularly after a string of near-misses in previous Olympics, cemented his legacy as one of, if not the greatest tennis player of all time.

The shooting competition in Paris featured several elite performances, but it was Yusuf Dikec of Turkey who grabbed worldwide attention with his calm and collected shooting style. An instant meme, competing in the mixed 10m air pistol event, Dikec’s casual posture with one hand in his pocket—almost leisurely compared to his competitors and sans any special gear—became a signature sight. While his form was unconventional, it clearly worked. Alongside teammate Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, Dikec won a silver medal, his first in five Olympics.

Finally, as a nod to what to expect in 2028, when Los Angeles takes over hosting duties for the 34th Summer Olympic Games, none other than Tom Cruise helped send off the Paris games in a manner no one else other than the Hollywood legend could—rappelling from the rooftop of Paris’ Stade de France and carrying the Olympic flag on a whirlwind journey via motorcycle across the streets of Paris before skydiving it to its next handoff point beneath the Hollywood Sign.

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_{*Header photo courtesy of Olympics}