As the Olympic flame dims in Paris, it’s easy to let the headlines about water quality in the Seine, the contentious opening ceremony, and the endless debates over athlete gender overshadow what truly made this year’s Games special. But as we bid farewell to the 2024 Summer Olympics, let’s not forget the extraordinary moments that will define this event for years to come.
Sports for the Bold, Not Just the Wealthy
This year’s Olympics have turned the tables on the traditional powerhouses, showing that victory doesn’t always go to those who spend the most. For years, the U.S. and China have dominated the Olympic stage, their athletic empires backed by billion-dollar budgets. But in Paris, we saw a new dynamic take hold, as smaller nations challenged the giants in some of the most fiercely contested sports.
Take swimming, for instance. The U.S. swim team, long a juggernaut in the pool, found themselves fiercely contested by rivals, and for the first time in 64 years, they secured only eight gold medals. Australia emerged as a force to be reckoned with, outswimming the U.S. in key relay and middle-distance events.
In badminton, China, a nation synonymous with excellence in the sport, faced a surprising upset. For the first time since 1996, not a single Chinese male player reached the semifinals. Two top-ranked players were expected to dominate, but they fell short, marking a significant moment in the sport’s history.
And then there’s the 100-meter dash, the crown jewel of track and field. In a stunning upset, American world champion lost the gold to Julien Alfred, a sprinter from the tiny island nation of Saint Lucia, with a population of just under 200,000.
Alfred’s victory was a triumph of strategic investment—Saint Lucia saw her potential early on and sent her to the U.S. on a sports scholarship, where she honed her skills and ultimately claimed Olympic glory.
This leveling of the playing field didn’t happen by chance. Nations like Japan have focused their resources on sports where they can excel, spending $250 million in 2023 on targeted athletic development—a fraction of China’s budget, yet they secured a third of China’s gold medal tally. Japan focused on sports requiring precision and skill, such as fencing, gymnastics, and traditional martial arts like judo.
Meanwhile, South Korea once again dominated archery, taking home all five gold medals in the sport, while also excelling in shooting and taekwondo.
These stories are a testament to the power of smart, focused investment, showing that with the right strategy, even the smallest nations can stand tall on the Olympic podium.
The Rise of Women in Sports: Three Inspiring Stories
The 2024 Paris Olympics marked a historic first: equal representation of male and female athletes. For Vietnam, this milestone was even more striking, as the number of female athletes outnumbered their male counterparts three to one. This shift is a remarkable step forward for an event that once barred women from even attending to avoid seeing men in revealing outfits.
Recent Olympics have increasingly highlighted the achievements of female athletes. At the Tokyo 2020 Games, NBC dedicated 58% of its coverage to women’s events, and this year’s Games have continued that trend. A quick scroll through the official Olympic TikTok channel showcases how the presence of women in sports is now celebrated like never before.
Here are three stories of women who not only competed but inspired the world with their journeys:
Nada Hafez - Fencer from Egypt
Hafez shocked the world when she revealed that she was seven months pregnant while competing. She went on to defeat her American opponent and advanced to the top 16. Her story is a powerful rejection of the stereotypes surrounding pregnancy and motherhood, proving that women can achieve greatness on their own terms.
Simone Biles - Gymnastics Legend:
The greatest gymnast in American history, with seven Olympic gold medals to her name, Simone Biles became the subject of a Netflix documentary this year. The film, which chronicles her struggles with mental health that led to her withdrawal from the Tokyo 2020 Games and her comeback in Paris, quickly climbed into the global top 10 on Netflix. The documentary’s success fueled widespread interest in Biles, culminating in a staggering 12.7 million Americans tuning in to watch her compete in the women’s team final, making it one of the most-watched daytime Olympic events in history.
Hà Thị Linh - Boxer from Vietnam
The only ethnic minority athlete from Vietnam to compete in Paris, Hà Thị Linh shattered the stereotype that athletes must retire after becoming mothers. A mother of two, she secured her place at the Olympics after returning to intense training just four months after giving birth, all while continuing to breastfeed. Her story of determination and family support has resonated deeply with fans back home.
A Historic Handshake: Unity Through Sport
On the sixth day of competition, a moment that transcended sport occurred: athletes from South Korea and North Korea stood side by side on the podium after winning medals in table tennis and took a selfie together. This simple act, coming just weeks after heightened political tensions between their nations, served as a powerful reminder that sports have the unique ability to bring people together.
The roots of this Olympic spirit can be traced back to ancient Greece, where the Games were so revered that even wars were paused to ensure safe passage for spectators and athletes alike. The modern Olympics may not halt conflicts, but they continue to foster the values of respect, effort, and friendship.
One of the most praised moments this year happened during the men’s individual saber final. South Korean fencer Oh Sang-uk, instead of taking advantage of his Tunisian opponent’s accidental fall, chose to help him up before continuing the match. This act of sportsmanship was a vivid demonstration of what the Olympics are truly about.
As the 2024 Paris Olympics draw to a close, we reflect not just on the controversies but on the incredible stories that have inspired us. The Olympic spirit—rooted in respect, perseverance, and friendship—shines brighter than any medal, reminding us of the true essence of these Games.