As we prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, we are about to witness the top athletes from around the world compete for records, historic achievements, and gold medals. Here are some athletes you should definitely keep an eye on, who are expected to dazzle on the Olympic stage, win gold medals, and set new records.
SYDNEY MCLAUGHLIN
Sydney McLaughlin, who has shattered world records in the 400 meters hurdles, has made a significant impact on the world of athletics at a young age. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she set a new world record of 51.46 seconds in the women’s 400 meters hurdles, surpassing her own previous record of 51.90 seconds. Following that, she broke her own record again with a time of 51.41 seconds at the 2022 US Outdoor Championships. McLaughlin, who holds five of the top ten times in women’s 400 meters hurdles, achieved a time of 50.68 seconds at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. After a setback from injury at the 2023 World Championships, she returned to the same track in the 2024 US Olympic Trials with a time of 50.65 seconds, setting another record on that track. She is clearly focused on her “first love” of hurdles and aims for new records at the Paris Olympics.
ARMAND DUPLANTIS
Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, coming from an athletic family, has been constantly breaking and setting new records in pole vaulting. His first major achievement was breaking Renaud Lavillenie’s 6.16m indoor record in 2020 with a jump of 6.17m. A week later, he increased his record to 6.18m, and later broke Sergei Bubka’s 26-year-old outdoor record with 6.15m. In 2022, he furthered his record with jumps of 6.19m and 6.20m in Belgrade, and set a new world record of 6.21m at the World Championships. At the 2023 Diamond League Final in Eugene, Oregon, he improved his own record to 6.24m. Duplantis will continue to raise the bar at the Paris Olympics and beyond. His quest for higher heights can be seen in the documentary The Next Centimeter.
JAKOB INGEBRIGTSEN
Jakob Ingebrigtsen, seen as the world’s fastest man, completed a memorable two-mile race in 7:54.10, which was about four and a half seconds faster than the previous best set by Kenyan Daniel Komen in 1997. Standing at 1.86m, Ingebrigtsen has a superior running technique in the 1500 meters and 5000 meters. He won the gold medal in the 1500 meters at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Norwegian athlete, who continues to make history, broke the European record in the 1500m with a time of 3:26.73, becoming the fourth athlete in history to break the 3:27 barrier. Ingebrigtsen aims to expand his medal collection at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
SIMONE BILES
Standing at 1.42m and with a body seemingly built for gymnastics, Simone Biles has become one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. Despite a challenging childhood, she has become an inspiration by winning three World Championships, three National Championships in the United States, and six National titles. Her most notable performance was at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she won four gold medals and one bronze, achieving the highest overall score of 58.400. Although she withdrew from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to mental health concerns, she returned to competition and won four gold and one silver medal at the 2023 World Gymnastics Championships. The documentary The Simone Biles Story: Courage To Soar provides a look into her journey. Biles, who now views success differently, is expected to perform exceptionally well in Paris.
ELUID KIPCHOGE
Eliud Kipchoge, who started his career by running long distances to school from his farm in Kenya, has crowned his career with world records. Regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners in history, Kipchoge has won ten out of eleven marathons he has participated in, losing only one, which was to a previous world record holder. On October 12, 2019, he attempted to break the two-hour marathon barrier in the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, finishing in 1:59:40.2. However, this run was not recognized as an official world record. Kipchoge won gold medals in the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 marathons and set a world record with a time of 2:01:39 in Berlin in 2018. He aims to win his third Olympic marathon gold in Paris, seeking to inspire rather than just make history. Just as Lewis Hamilton inspires him, Kipchoge remains a source of motivation for many athletes.
MELISSA VARGAS
Known for her powerful spikes, reminiscent of the iconic NBA logo pose of Jerry West, Melissa Vargas has dazzled volleyball courts around the world. Declared “undesirable” in Cuba, she made a name for herself with Switzerland’s Volero Zürich and later with Fenerbahçe and the Turkish national team. At the 2019 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship with Fenerbahçe Opet, she was named MVP for her outstanding performance. Vargas also shined in the CEV Women’s Champions League with Fenerbahçe and Dinamo Moscow and was named the MVP of the VNL 2023 Finals, leading with 65 points. As a crucial player in leading the Turkish national team to victory at the European Championship, Vargas is set to make a memorable impact at the Paris Olympics with her spikes and blocks.
CARLOS ALCARAZ-RAFAEL NADAL
The old guard and the new. Generation Y and Generation Z. The master and the apprentice. Alicante and Mallorca. Carlitos and Rafa. This time, they will be on the same side, representing their country on the beloved French clay courts. Nadal is aiming for his third Olympic gold, while Alcaraz is excited to share the court with his idol for the first time. Alcaraz recently won his first French Open title and is now focused on securing his first Olympic gold. Meanwhile, Rafa, a fixture at Roland Garros, is looking for one last dance on the Philippe Chatrier court and to add a happy ending to this extraordinary story. Their matches will likely be some of Nadal’s final appearances. Even if they don’t win medals, seeing these two compete together will undoubtedly be one of the greatest moments in Olympic history.
SHELLY ANN FRASER PRYCE
The pages of Olympic history are filled with iconic performances by sprinters in the 100 and 200 meters. On the men’s side, names like Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis, Gatlin, and Bolt, despite his tarnished legacy, are legendary, while on the women’s side, Florence Griffith-Joyner, Gail Devers, and Elaine Thompson-Herah are prominent figures. If Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce wins two medals in the 100 and 4×100 meters, as is very likely, she will surpass all these legends in terms of Olympic medals, matching only Carl Lewis in number.
METE GAZOZ
Recently, the Ministry of Youth and Sports announced that Mete Gazoz and Busenaz Sürmeneli will carry the Turkish flag at the opening ceremony. This is a significant honor for Mete. His journey began as Turkey’s youngest Olympian at the Rio Olympics at age 17, and he won gold at Tokyo at just 22. Now, at 25, he is one of the leading contenders for Turkey’s gold medal. Despite a relatively low season form, he has added World and European Championships titles to his collection since the last Olympics. With 85 million eyes on him, Gazoz’s achievements will continue to be witnessed for many years to come, given the longevity of archery as a sport.
ADAM PEATY
British swimmer Adam Peaty, at 29, is one of the most significant athletes competing in Paris due to his five Olympic medals and world records. Despite struggling with serious mental health issues, he has spoken about how focusing on Paris is crucial for overcoming these challenges. Everyone is eagerly anticipating seeing the fastest butterfly swimmer in history fully prepared.
MIJAIN LOPEZ
Cuban wrestling legend Mijain Lopez won his fourth gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, earning him the title of the most gold medals won by a wrestler. As he approaches retirement, Lopez aims to win another gold and improve his own record. He will turn 42 just nine days after the Olympics end and will demonstrate that he remains at the highest level. The only competitor who might challenge him, Riza Kayaalp, will not be present due to a banned substance issue.
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA
With a height of 2.24m and a wingspan of 2.44m, Victor Wembanyama is one of the most physically remarkable athletes, performing every move on the court with mastery. His participation in the Olympics has two significant implications: first, he will be the standout star for France in Paris, especially after Kylian Mbappé’s absence from the Olympic squad. Second, he represents the pinnacle of athletic physique, potentially setting new standards for future athletes.