Paris is the epicenter of love, fashion, commerce, and gastronomy, home to countless beauties in the world. It’s the capital of numerous significant moments that have changed the course of history. And from now on, this unique location will also be remembered for the excitement it creates whenever the word “Olympics” is mentioned, along with the marks left by great athletes. As Audrey Hepburn said, “Paris is always a good idea.”
Yusuf Dikeç
Our national shooter, Yusuf Dikeç, earned the opportunity to compete in his fifth consecutive Olympics. With 2 world and 5 European championship medals in his career, Dikeç added an Olympic medal to his collection in Paris. The 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team, consisting of Şevval İlayda Tarhan and Yusuf Dikeç, lost 16-14 in the final to the Serbian mixed team of Zorana Arunovic and Damir Mikec, earning the silver medal. However, the silver medal brought immense pride as it was Turkey’s first medal in shooting in Olympic history. Dikeç, who represented Turkey successfully at the Paris 2024 Olympics, challenged his opponents with his calm demeanor and even gained global popularity with his relaxed, equipment-free stance during the shooting, making his mark on the competition.
Femke Bol
The Dutch athlete recorded a time of 52.57 in the third semifinal of the women’s 400m hurdles, but her luck ran out when she faced the American McLaughlin-Levrone in the final. In the women’s 400m hurdles finals, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone broke her own world record of 50.65 by clocking 50.37 to win the gold medal. Anna Cockrell finished second with 51.87, and Femke Bol took third with 52.15. In the women’s 4x100m relay, the Dutch team (L. Klaver, C. Peeters, L. Witte, F. Bol) running in lane 5 won the silver medal, finishing behind the USA. They also set a new national record with a time of 3:19.50. Despite no one in the Dutch team being able to hand over the baton in first place in the mixed 4x400m relay, Bol still led her team to victory. The team of Femke Bol, Lieke Klaver, Eugene Omalla, and Isein Klein Ikkink became Olympic champions with a time of 3:07.43, achieving the gold medal they aimed for.
Armand Duplantis
“Mondo” once again delivered a dazzling performance in the pole vault, as expected. The Swedish athlete’s latest world record, which he had improved multiple times, was 6.24 meters. It was inevitable that Duplantis would break his own record again in this event, and so he did. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, he broke his own world record with a jump of 6.25 meters, winning the gold medal. By winning the gold medal and setting yet another record, Duplantis once again demonstrated to the world why he is considered one of the greatest pole vaulters in history. With both his technique and mental resilience, he outperformed his rivals and celebrated his victory by mimicking the iconic pose of national shooter Yusuf Dikeç.
Simone Biles
Biles won her second Olympic gold in Paris, making it her sixth career Olympic gold, setting a record as the American gymnast with the most Olympic golds in history. After overcoming challenging times, the connection between her mental preparation and this achievement is undeniable. Scoring 15.300 points in the Women’s Vault final, she took first place. In the Women’s Artistic Individual All-Around (floor, uneven bars, balance beam, vault) events, Biles scored 59.131 points to win another gold medal. The USA Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Team (H. Rivera, J. Chiles, S. Biles, S. Lee, J. Carey) also won the gold medal in the All-Around team category with a score of 171.296.
Katie Ledecky
The American swimmer broke her own record (15:35.35) by clocking 15:30.02 in the Women’s 1,500 Meter Freestyle, winning the gold medal. Additionally, she secured her second gold medal in the Women’s 800 Meter Freestyle final with a time of 8:11.04, maintaining her first-place position from the second heat. In the Women’s 4×200 Meter Freestyle Relay, Ledecky’s team (P. Madden, E. Gemmell, C. Weinstein, K. Ledecky) finished second behind Australia, earning a silver medal.
Sifan Hassan
Paris witnessed numerous magical performances and records. It created many heroes. Perhaps the most special among them was Sifan Hassan, who broke records in the final days of the Olympics. After completing the 1500-5000-10000 trifecta in Tokyo with 2 golds and 1 bronze, Hassan achieved what could be called the impossible in Paris. She repeated the 5000-10000-Marathon trifecta, which has been associated with Emil Zatopek since the 1952 Olympics, setting an Olympic record in the marathon and completing the competition with 1 gold and 2 bronzes. She also became the first woman to achieve this feat.
Leon Marchand
Since the decision in 2017 to host the Olympics in Paris, concerns have been rife, particularly among Parisians, about the potential economic, security, and cultural impact on the city. Amidst these circumstances, the only figure who could unite all of Paris with a single voice was none other than Leon Marchand, who, at 15 years old in 2017, was dreaming of these days. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Marchand became the most successful athlete of his country, which had a very successful Olympics. Leaving the “slow” Paris pool with 4 golds, 1 bronze, and 4 Olympic records, Marchand nodded to the great masters of this sport, the Phelpses, Thorpes, and Spitzes.
Noah Lyles
Yes, Paris was a truly spectacular Olympics. The opening ceremony, the use of historic venues, and all the stars truly shone. But alongside all this, perhaps the most fitting word for Paris is sensational. The insistence on the Seine River, the controversial scenes from the opening ceremony, the shadow of terrorism over the Morocco-Argentina match, the Olympic village, and Noah Lyles. Lyles was one of the most talked-about figures throughout the games. His marginal behavior may have introduced a new phenomenon to athletics after Bolt. In terms of achievements, Lyles first won what may have been one of the most exciting 100-meter races in history by a nose, and then, although he scared the spectators in the 200 meters, he secured the bronze.
Mijain Lopez
Olympic history is filled with great images. One of the greatest is the photo of Mijain Lopez leaving his shoes in the center of the mat, marking the end of his active wrestling career. The Cuban legend, after breaking numerous records and winning countless medals, stepped onto the mat for one last record. He became the only athlete to win 5 Olympic gold medals in an individual event and then took off his shoes. The legend’s farewell was as fitting as his entire career.
Novak Djokovic
It may not be widely recognized, but Novak Djokovic, despite winning numerous Grand Slams, was the only member of tennis’s big three without an Olympic gold medal. While in tennis, Grand Slams are considered more prestigious than Olympic success, in the GOAT debate, the only gap in Djokovic’s resume was that gold medal. It must be acknowledged that the last year hasn’t been the best by Djokovic’s standards. Maybe it’s due to injuries, or perhaps it’s simply his age. What happens in the future is known only to him. Perhaps he will complete this season and then announce his retirement. Maybe he’ll even make it to Los Angeles in 2028. However, he made it clear that he isn’t going anywhere until he gets that missing piece. Who knows, maybe that missing piece isn’t an Olympic gold medal but a calendar slam.
Resources:
https://en.haberler.com/look-at-the-charisma-yusuf-dikec-won-a-silver-1980679