For 19 days, from July 26 to August 11, the world turned its attention to Paris, as it hosted the Olympics. The best athletes competed against each other in 32 sports. Some of them were black athletes who showcased immense skill and talent. A good number of them finished on the podium, winning the highest honors in the sport. Aside from that, there were some disappointing and surprising displays. All that and more is highlighted in our Paris 2024 Olympic Games wrap-up.
The United States Topped the Medal Standings
Artistic Gymnastics
The United States won 126 medals – 40 gold, 44 silver and 42 bronze medals. Leading the gold medal charge was the gymnastics team, led by Simone Biles, who became the most decorated gymnast in history, and now has 11 Olympic medals – 7 gold. The gymnastics team won nine medals.
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Men’s and Women’s Basketball
On the basketball court, the men’s and women’s teams delivered Olympic gold. The men’s team won their fifth consecutive gold medal and the women, a record ninth. The men’s had a star-studded team led by LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant while the women’s team was fronted by Britney Griner and Aja Wilson.
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Track & Field
In athletics, the U.S. raked in 14 medals. Noah Lyles is no doubt the country’s most high-profile athlete. He clinched the 100m by a whisker, to win his first Olympic gold medal. However, he struggled in the 200m and won bronze.
Still on athletics, the 4*400 meters US team of Christopher Bailey, Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon and Rai Benjamin, won the gold. The women’s equivalent of Shamier Little. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas and Alexis Holmes, also took home gold.
On the 100m hurdles, Masai Russell claimed the gold medal. Sha’Carri Richardson led the 4*100 meters relay team to a gold medal. She completed the race after Gabby Thomas, Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, ran in the other three legs. By the time Richardson got the button, she was in fourth but stormed to a powerful finish.
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African Athletes
Track
Kenya was the most successful African nation at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with 11 medals, including 4 gold medals. Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet, and Emmanuel Wanyonyi won gold in their events.
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Kipygeon dazzled in her signature event the 1,500 meters, Chebet won two golds in the 5000m and the 10,000 meters in her first Olympic Games and Wanyonyi is the youngest man to win the 800 meters, to continue Kenya’s dominance in the event.
The most surprising and memorable event was Letsile Tebogo’s 200-meter gold medal victory. He won Botswana’s first medal in the games, beating America’s Noah Lyles.
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Marathon
In the marathon, Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto scooped bronze medals. In one of the most disappointing moments of the event, decorated marathoner Eliud Kipchoge failed to finish a marathon for the first time in his career. Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola won the gold in the men’s event in 2:06:26.
Football
For the first, an African football team medaled in the Olympic Games. Morocco beat Egypt in the bronze medal match to write history, winning the game 6-0, the largest win of the tournament.
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Caribbean Performance
In a shocking twist of events, Jamaica didn’t dominate in track. The country only won six medals – one gold, three silver and a bronze medal. The gold came from discus, as opposed to track.
In the men’s 100 meters, Kishane Thompson won a silver medal. Shanieka Ricketts in the women’s triple jump and the third silver came from Wayne Pinnock. Rajindra Campbell and Rasid Broadbell won the bronze medals.
It’s also important to note that some athletes dropped out of its events. Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce withdrew from their competitions due to injury. As if that wasn’t enough, the 4 by 400m relay team was disqualified after the baton was knocked from a runner’s hand.
Wrapping Up
The Paris Olympic Games served great memories and performances. Athletes like Letsile Tebogo etched their names in history and others like Simone Biles, cemented their legacies. Which was your favorite Olympic moment?
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