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Best of the 2024 Paris Olympics: Our Staff Picks for the Games’ Superlative Moments
Paris, France — After nearly three exhilarating weeks and the awarding of over 1,000 medals, the 2024 Paris Olympics have concluded, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable moments and exceptional performances. From the ambitious opening ceremony to the poignant handoff to the 2028 host city, Los Angeles, the Paris Games have been a showcase of athletic excellence and historic achievements.
To celebrate the best of the Paris Olympics, our team at The Athletic has compiled a list of “Olympic Superlative” winners, based on votes from 20 of our staff members. While this list is not definitive, it highlights the standout moments and performances that captured the essence of these Games.
Most Dominant Performance
Winner: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (five votes)
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone delivered one of the most dominant performances of the Paris Games. The American hurdler and sprinter won gold in the women’s 400-meter hurdles with a world record time of 50.37 seconds. She capped off her Olympics with another gold in the women’s 4×400 relay, where her leg was just a tenth of a second off the world record. Her incredible achievements underscored her status as one of the greatest athletes of the Games.
Runners-up: Simone Biles and Armand “Mondo” Duplantis (three votes each)
- Simone Biles — The American gymnast made a triumphant return, securing gold in the team event, all-around, and vault, with a silver in the floor exercise.
- Armand “Mondo” Duplantis — The Swedish pole vaulter won gold in his event and set a new world record at 6.25 meters, surpassing his previous mark.
Also Receiving Votes:
- China’s Diving Team (two votes) — Dominated the diving events, winning all eight gold medals.
- Léon Marchand (two votes) — The French swimmer captured four gold medals and one bronze, setting Olympic records in each of his winning events.
- USA Basketball (two votes) — Continued its gold medal streak, with five consecutive wins for men and eight for women.
- Katie Ledecky (one vote) — The American swimmer won two golds, a silver, and a bronze, setting an Olympic record in the 1,500-meter freestyle.
- Mijain Lopez (one vote) — The Cuban wrestler achieved a record-fifth consecutive gold in men’s wrestling.
- South Korea’s Archery Team (one vote) — Swept all five gold medals in archery.
Breakout Star
Winner: Léon Marchand (eight votes)
Léon Marchand emerged as the breakout star of the Paris Olympics. The 22-year-old French swimming sensation captivated the world with his remarkable performances. Marchand won four gold medals in the 200 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, 200 individual medley, and 400 individual medley, setting an Olympic record in each event. He also earned a bronze in the men’s 4×100 medley. Marchand’s impressive display has drawn comparisons to swimming legend Michael Phelps.
Runner-up: Stephen Nedoroscik (five votes)
Stephen Nedoroscik, the American gymnast known for his expertise on the pommel horse, became a household name during the Games. He clinched a bronze medal for the U.S. men’s gymnastics team, their first team medal since 2008, and also secured a bronze in the pommel horse event. His unique style and engaging personality won the hearts of fans and media alike.
SOURCE: SYKNEWS
