Every four years the biggest sports competition on the globe takes place, with hundreds of countries, and thousands of athletes participating in the Olympic games. This year, Team USA took the Paris Olympics by storm, earning a large sum of 126 medals.
Gymnastics:
The USA women’s gymnastics team features Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, Suni Lee, and the greatest of all time, Simone Biles. The gymnasts won gold in the all-around team competition, keeping the winning streak alive. History was made when the US men’s gymnastics team won an Olympic medal for the first time after 16 years, with the help of Stephen Nedoroscik, who secured the award after delivering a phenomenal pommel horse routine.
Two recognizable athletes are, Simone Biles and Suni Lee, who both made astonishing comebacks after facing difficulties regarding mental health and injuries in the prior years.
After dropping out of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to the ‘twisties,’ the G.O.A.T, Simone Biles came to conquer Paris 2024. She earned a total of four Olympic medals, and won the individual all-around medal. Just this past year, Suni Lee experienced health issues related to a chronic kidney disease. After securing a spot on the Paris olympics gymnastics team at the World championships, she expressed how “I didn’t even think it was possible.” Despite the odds, history was made when Lee went on to secure three medals this year.
Swimming:
America’s Olympic swimming team became incredibly popular all over the globe, after athletes like Katie Ledecky performed at an unbelievable level, breaking records.
Another swimmer, Reagan Smith, added to her medal collection after winning the 200m freestyle race. She has goals to one day win the gold. For Katie Ledecky, she became one of America’s newest athletic icons after winning the 1500m race, becoming the owner of the 19 quickest times in the event’s history. She is now one of the most decorated athletes in Olympic swimming history. Multiple other athletes contributed to America’s medal count.
Track and field:
Winning the most medals in the entirety of the event, America dominated in track and field. Winning the 100m race, Noah Lyles beat Kishane Thompson with a time of 9.79 seconds. He explained how he felt on top of the world, expressing his gratitude over his win.
Athlete Gabby Thomas brought home three gold medals after winning the 200m, the 4-by-400, and the 4-by-100 race. She explained how she is influenced by her track coach and math teacher to pursue the sport, as they are always there to calm Gabby’s doubts and support her endeavors related to track. Other track and field athletes that participated in the games helped team USA earn a total of 34 medals in the event.
Break dancing:
The world was skeptical towards the announcement of the addition of break dancing in the Paris 2024 Olympics, however willing to give it a chance. Yet the concern over the silliness of the event was proven to be valid. Besides the funny memes that came from the breakdancing, it was mostly negative attention that was emitted towards the event, mainly due to the rumor that it replaced Olympic powerlifting.
The internet was hysterical after the event was broadcasted to the world, creating memes about a certain dancer named, Rachael Gunn, better known as B-Girl Raygun. She received criticism over her performance which looked more like a temper tantrum than dance choreography. Sophomore, Derek Thompson explained how, “Raygun set the idea of breakdancing back 20 years with her absolutely awful performance.”
Overall, every sport featured in the Olympics carries its own significance and value.
All athletes train for a similar goal, but those who work to get to the highest level must be recognized. Sophomore Juan Bustamante expressed, “I feel moved by how hard the athletes train and the effort they put in to get where they are.” Generally, all USA Olympic athletes are undeniably incredible at their profession and the future of team USA is looking bright.
