The 2024 Summer Olympics…It’s a Mixed Bag!
Paris and Olympics, the controversies, the money and heartwarming stories
Paris and Olympics, the controversies, the money and heartwarming stories
It is very difficult to provide an Olympic overview on August 6th in the middle of the games. But that is what we’ll try to do here as a review/preview of the Olympic games being held in Paris, France. The games began on Friday, July 26th and will run through Sunday, August 11th.
A tremendous amount of time and money have been poured into these games!
How does a whopping $10 Billion sound for a nice round figure!?
The Olympics are obviously a worldwide spectacle that we get now every two years with the summer and winter Olympics alternating their place in the spotlight. (Thus, the Winter Olympics will be in 2026).
The 2026 Winter Olympics are known as Milano Cortina 2026, and will be in early February 2026 held in three regions and many locations, with the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo as the main ones.
I think one of the most brilliant things that the Olympic committee has done over the years is stagger the Olympics this way, as opposed to the past when “The Games” used to be in the same calendar year, so in the past, as we’re finishing the Summer Olympics, we would be gearing up for the winter games. Very logical considering a lot of the things that the Olympics do (and sports management folks in general) are questionable at best.
Of course, we know that the US and China will vie for the top medal count and gold medals, and that should be the case as these are two of the largest countries in the world (AND we do not have a Russian contingent).
Olympics are by (human) nature, going to create some type of controversy or concern since we humans can’t even agree on lifestyles just during normal engagement, let alone bring everybody in the world into a confined space and “let’s see what happens.”
But I love seeing the great sportsmanship between the athletes at these games. The athletes are really what we should be focusing on rather than the worlds craziness or the political agendas or perverted takes on religion or art.
Individual honors are obviously attained at the games, but I have a problem with individuals who make it ALL about themselves—you are either on a team or have had a lot of help to get there! Let’s just leave it at that.
Here are some key updates from the 2024 Paris Olympics:
- Simone Biles concluded her Olympic journey with four medals, including a silver on floor exercise. Biles led the American team to a gold medal in the team event and won gold in the individual all-around and vault. This marks a significant comeback after her hiatus following the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
- Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to complete his career Golden Slam.
- The U.S. has had a strong showing, with notable performances including Katie Ledecky adding to her medal tally in swimming and the women’s gymnastics team securing the gold. Biles’ performance has been a major highlight, drawing significant attention and praise.
- One of the most exciting endings was the US Women’s Rugby team, when they literally scored on the final play of the game, which would be the equivalent of a 95-yard touchdown return in football on the final play to yield a Bronze Medal!
Controversies- They Can’t Help Themselves
- The 2024 Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony sparked significant controversy due to a performance that many interpreted as a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” This segment featured drag queens, a transgender model, a naked singer portrayed as the Greek god Dionysus, and a child, which drew sharp criticism from various religious groups and public figures.
It Should Be About the Athletes!
- The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris were packed with memorable moments and standout performances across various sports.
- In gymnastics, Japan’s Shinnosuke Oka claimed the men’s all-around gold, continuing Japan’s dominance in this event by securing their fourth consecutive title. The women’s competition saw Simone Biles making a triumphant return, winning the all-around gold and adding to her impressive Olympic medal tally.
- Swimming was highlighted by Katie Ledecky’s continued dominance, securing multiple gold medals and further cementing her legacy as one of the greatest swimmers of all time. Léon Marchand of France also had a stellar performance, particularly in the individual medley events.
- Track and field saw exciting races with American sprinter Noah Lyles winning gold in the 200m and Jamaican sprinter Shericka Jackson focusing solely on the 200m, aiming for a top finish. In the marathon, Sifan Hassan from the Netherlands made headlines with her ambitious program, competing in the 5000m, 10,000m, and the marathon.
- The U.S. women’s soccer team advanced to the quarterfinals after a series of strong performances in the group stage, highlighted by a 2-1 victory over Australia. The U.S. men’s basketball team, is having a successful run (they should!)
- In BMX freestyle, Perris Benegas from the USA secured a silver medal, while in canoe slalom, American Evy Leibfarth took home a bronze, marking a significant achievement in the sport for the U.S.
Overall, the games are enjoyable. They highlight amazing athletes from all over the world, and they should be lauded as a wonderful time for the individuals and the countries who participate in a clean and fair way.
Related content:
Tokyo Olympics Should Add a New Medal: Broadcasting
Latino 4X Olympian Luger & the Power of Perseverance [Video]
Latino US Olympic Athletes Competed Strong
