10 Memorable Moments from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games have come to a close, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable moments, incredible athletes, and inspiring stories. Here are ten memorable moments from this unique and exciting event:
The Paris Olympics Had a Really Cool Opening Ceremony
And you know what? The Paris 2024 Olympics started with a bang! They did something totally different this time. The opening ceremony wasn’t in a boring old stadium like usual. Nope, they took it outside and had a big party on the River Seine. How cool is that?
But you know, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. (Get it? Sailing? Because it was on a river!) They had some problems to deal with:
- It rained a bit
- And there were some worries about keeping everyone safe
But hey, they didn’t let that stop them! The show must go on, right?
So picture this: a big parade of boats floating down the river. And while that’s happening, there are all these amazing performances happening too. It was like nothing anyone had ever seen before at an Olympics opening ceremony.
What Made It Special | Why It Was Cool |
---|---|
Boat parade | Totally unique! |
Performances | Super inspiring |
On the River Seine | An iconic spot |
So even though there were a few hiccups along the way, the Paris Olympics team pulled off something really memorable. They took a risk doing something so different, but it paid off big time.
It just goes to show that sometimes when you think outside the box (or in this case, outside the stadium!), you can create something really special. And that’s a great way to kick off an Olympic Games that people will be talking about for years to come!
The Seine’s Suitability for Sports
While using the River Seine for competitions was an ambitious idea, it proved to be problematic. Fluctuating bacteria levels led to event cancellations and even athlete illnesses. Perhaps urban rivers are not the best choice for Olympic events.
Refugee Olympic Team Makes History
Boxer Cindy Ngamba won the first-ever medal for the Refugee Olympic Team, earning bronze in the women’s 75kg category. The team, which has grown from 10 athletes in 2016 to 37 in 2024, sends an important message to displaced people worldwide.
Nations Win Their First Olympic Medals
Several countries celebrated their first Olympic medals in Paris:
- Julien Alfred (St. Lucia): Gold in women’s 100m
- Thea LaFond-Gadson (Dominica): Gold in women’s triple jump
- Chermen Valiev (Albania): Bronze in men’s 74kg freestyle wrestling
- David de Pina (Cape Verde): Bronze in men’s 51kg event
New Heroes and World Records
Paris 2024 saw incredible performances and new world records:
- Antoine Dupont led France to gold in men’s rugby sevens
- Léon Marchand won four individual gold medals in swimming
- Armand Duplantis (Sweden) set a new pole vault world record
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) broke her own 400m hurdles world record
- Siffan Hass (Netherlands) won an unprecedented treble in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon
Unconventional Success
Türkiye’s Yusuf Dikeç won silver in the 10m air pistol competition without using protective earplugs or special lenses, proving that success can come in different forms.
Inspiring Stories
The Olympics are about more than just sports:
- Nada Hafez (Egypt) competed in fencing while seven months pregnant
- Lola Anderson (Team GB) won gold in rowing, inspired by her late father who had kept her childhood dream note
Platform for Political Statements
Athletes used the Olympics to draw attention to global issues, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s actions in Palestine. Some criticized the IOC’s differing treatment of Russian and Israeli athletes.
Moments of Unity
Despite political tensions, there were heartwarming moments of unity, like when table tennis players from North and South Korea took a selfie together on the podium.
Farewells to Legends
The Paris Games marked the end of an era for some sporting greats:
- Novak Djokovic won the gold medal he had been missing, calling it his “biggest sporting success”
- Mijain Lopez (Cuba) became the first athlete to win five consecutive gold medals in Greco-Roman wrestling before retiring
Athlete | Country | Achievement |
---|---|---|
Cindy Ngamba | Refugee Olympic Team | First-ever medal (bronze, women’s 75kg boxing) |
Armand Duplantis | Sweden | New pole vault world record |
Siffan Hass | Netherlands | Unprecedented treble (5,000m, 10,000m, marathon) |
Mijain Lopez | Cuba | Five consecutive gold medals in Greco-Roman wrestling |
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be remembered for its unique moments, incredible performances, and the resilience of athletes who overcame challenges to compete on the world’s biggest stage. As we look ahead to Los Angeles 2028, these memories will continue to inspire and unite people across the globe.