Special moments from the Paris Olympics 2024
The most epic moments captured in everyone’s eyes from Paris Summer Olympics 2024
For better or worse, the Seine takes center stage at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
Because of the water’s high degree of pollution, swimming in the Seine was prohibited for more than a century before the Paris Olympics.
Nonetheless, authorities spent at least €1.4 billion ($1.55 billion) to clean up the Seine in the run-up to the Games in an attempt to make some of the swimming events stand out, and Paris officials made a huge show of showcasing its suitability.
The Summer Olympics
However, the river’s E. coli levels meant the men’s individual triathlon – which began with the swimming leg in the Seine – had to be postponed by a day, and practice swims for the marathon swim and triathlons had to be canceled due to poor water quality levels following rainy days.
But Paris 2024 organizers insisted the water quality in the Seine was at a “very good” level on the morning of the individual triathlons.
Belgium later withdrew from the mixed relay triathlon race and Switzerland had to mix up its roster after athletes from both countries fell ill following the initial triathlon races.
Neither country said if their respective athletes’ illnesses were due to E. coli, but it only increased scrutiny around the use of the Seine.
Despite water quality eventually reaching acceptable levels, Olympic organizers were criticized by athletes and National Olympic Committees for the uncertainty around the race and training schedules.
Léon Marchand becomes the hometown hero in the pool
If there was one French athlete who starred most at the Paris Games, it was probably Léon Marchand.
The 22-year-old was a sensation in the pool, becoming the first athlete in decades to win two individual swimming gold medals — the 200m breaststroke and 200m butterfly — on the same night, both in Olympic-record times.
In the domestic Games, he took home four gold medals in total.
After the Olympic record-breaking night on August 1, La Défense Arena was filled with the deafening chant of Marchand’s name.
It was incredible. In my opinion, the first day was the most amazing. The entire pool was cheering for me when I merely walked on the side.
Marchand has developed into one of the most dominant swimmers under the guidance of Bob Bowman, the same guy who guided Michael Phelps to legendary status. It was an even more memorable event to accomplish this in front of the home fans.
About fifteen thousand people were in my lane. It was incredible. I will always remember it,” he said to Wire.
Turkey’s quiet Olympic shooter sparks controversy and ignites a party
Actually, before the Games, very few people would have heard of Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikeç, but thanks to his seemingly carefree attitude toward his sport, he has become a sensation in Paris.
With a hand casually resting in one pocket and no specialist equipment like tinted lenses, huge ear protection, or custom glasses, Dikeç won Turkey’s first Olympic medal—a silver—while shooting alongside comrade \evval Ilayda Tarhan.
Even Mondo Duplantis, the world record holder and gold medallist in pole vaulting, mimicked the 51-year-old’s chilly stance, with an imaginary gun held in an outstretched arm and a hand in a makeshift pocket.
Despite Dikeç’s assertion that his attitude “is actually about bringing the body to equilibrium and focusing and concentrating,” viewers remained fixated on the assured and seemingly carefree manner.
A viral perfect ten position for a nearly perfect ten wave
It was an occasion to remember, or at the very least, go viral.
Gabriel Medina, a surfer, was going up against Kanoa Igarashi, the guy who defeated him and went on to win silver at the Tokyo Olympics, and he wanted to make things right this time.
On July 29, the Brazilian surfer defeated the Japanese competitor, in part because of a near-perfect 9.90-scoring wave on Day 3 of the surfing tournament in Tahiti. In Olympic history, it was the wave with the highest score.
The ensuing celebration led to another flawless moment: Medina jumped off his surfboard, lifted his finger, and his board just about flew parallel to him as Agence France-Presse photographer Jerome Brouillet captured the moment.
The golden slam of his career completed by an emotional Novak Djokovic
After an incredible encounter, Novak Djokovic added an Olympic gold medal to his already impressive tennis resume on his fifth attempt.
In a magnificent and demanding men’s singles final at Roland Garros, Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, winning 7-6(3) 7-6(2) in two hours and fifty minutes.
With the triumph, Djokovic—who has won all four majors and an Olympic singles championship—became the fifth player to own what has been called the career “golden slam.”
Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, and Serena Williams are among the members of that select group. Serena Williams watched the thrilling match from the stands.
It was instantly clear how much Djokovic meant to have the victory. He erupted in joy when he secured match point, fell to his knees, and gave his family and coaching staff heartfelt embraces.
The 37-year-old, who is the oldest person to win an Olympic gold medal in singles, was shortly presented with a Serbian flag, and as he went back to his courtside position, he still looked a little shocked by his victory.
Although it’s the first trophy Djokovic has won this year, it’s also probably the one he most desired.
After the game, he declared, “Playing for Serbia has always been my utmost, real pleasure, my priority.” “I’m just incredibly proud to be among the select group of athletes who succeeded in winning gold for their nations in the sports that they play.”