The 2024 Paris Olympic Games Review

The 2024 Olympic Games came to a spectacular close on August 11th, leaving a lasting impact on millions across the globe. This year's Olympics was not just a display of athletic prowess but a celebration of unity, resilience, and the human spirit. Athletes, coaches, judges, fans, and supporters from around the world came together to create unforgettable moments that will be cherished for years to come. The Games served as a powerful reminder of how sports can unite nations. As the torch was passed to Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics, the world awaits the next chapter in this global competition.

The 2024 Paris Olympics were marked by extraordinary achievements, with 62 countries securing gold medals, showcasing the universal reach of sporting excellence. This statistic highlights that success in the Olympics knows no borders, inspiring countless individuals regardless of their country of origin.

The United States was a dominant force, topping the medal table with 126 medals, including 40 golds, 44 silvers, and 42 bronzes. China's athletes also excelled, matching the U.S. with 40 gold medals and accumulating a total of 91 medals. An intriguing statistic from these Games was the medals-per-capita ranking, where smaller nations like Grenada, Dominica, and St. Lucia claimed the top three spots. This perspective shows the remarkable achievements of smaller countries in a competition often dominated by larger nations with far greater populations.

Great Britain continued its tradition of Olympic success, finishing 7th overall with 65 medals, including 14 golds, 22 silvers, and 29 bronzes. Team GB delivered outstanding performances across various disciplines, highlighting the depth of talent and determination within the British squad. Here's a closer look at the athletes who clinched gold:

Women’s 800m:

Keely Hodgkinson, just 22 years old, claimed the gold in the women’s 800m race, demonstrating incredible determination. After winning silver at the Tokyo Olympics at age 19, Keely's journey to the top of the podium in Paris was a testament to her growth and persistence.

Men’s Cross Country Mountain Biking:

Thomas Pidcock, a seasoned cyclist with experience in the Tour de France, faced adversity in the final when a puncture pushed him to 9th place. However, his resilience shone through as he fought back to take the lead in a thrilling finish, securing gold and leaving the nation in awe.

Women’s Track Sprint Cycling Team:

Emma Finucane, Sophie Capewell, and Katy Marchant shattered the world record in the sprint cycling event, finishing with a time of 45.186 seconds, an incredible achievement for the British trio.

Equestrian Eventing Team:

Laura Collett, Tom McEwan, and Rosalind Canter successfully defended Great Britain’s team eventing title from Tokyo, dominating the competition and finishing with a commanding score of 91.3, earning them consecutive Olympic golds.

Equestrian Jumping Team:

Ben Maher, Harry Charles, and Scott Brash delivered a near-flawless performance in the mixed team jumping event, securing Team GB’s first equestrian jumping Olympic gold since 2012 with just two time penalties.

Men’s Trap Shooting:

Nathan’s performance in the trap shooting event was nothing short of spectacular, as he broke the Olympic record by hitting 48 out of 50 targets, surpassing the previous record of 43.

Lightweight Women's Double Sculls:

Emily Craig and Imogen Grant redeemed their narrow miss from Tokyo, where they lost by just 0.01 seconds, by claiming gold in the Lightweight Women's Double Sculls.

Women's Quadruple Sculls:

Lola Anderson, Georgina Brayshaw, Hannah Scott, and Lauren Henry staged a dramatic final stretch to edge out the Netherlands by 0.15 seconds, capturing gold in a thrilling finish.

Men's Eight Rowing Team:

The Men’s Eight rowing team reclaimed their Olympic title with a dominant performance, beating both the Netherlands and the U.S. to secure the gold with a time of 5:22.88.

Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Team:

James Guy, Matt Richards, Tom Dean, and Duncan Scott made history as the first GB relay team to retain their Olympic gold in this event, a remarkable achievement that underscores their dominance.

Women’s Trampolining:

Bryony Page completed her collection of Olympic medals by upgrading her previous silver to gold, scoring 56.480 in her final routine, and shedding tears of joy as she finally stood on the top of the podium.

Men’s Triathlon:

Alex Yee delivered a sensational sprint finish to snatch gold from the New Zealand frontrunner, turning his Tokyo silver into Paris gold in a race that will be remembered for its dramatic end.

Women’s Kite Sailing:

Eleanor Aldridge made history by becoming the first-ever Kiteboarding Olympic champion, winning the women’s kite title in an event that debuted in Paris.

Men’s Boulder and Lead Climbing:

At just 19 years old, Toby Roberts made his Olympic debut in style, capturing gold in the men’s boulder and lead climbing event with a combined score of 155.2.

As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games concluded, the world now turns its attention to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. However, before that, the spotlight shifts to the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games, starting on August 28th, where Team GB will once again aim for glory. The success of the Paris Olympics has set the stage for another spectacular display of athleticism, and the world awaits what the future holds.