Olympic Rings
During this year’s Summer Olympics, the United States won 126 medals, the most of any country competing. This included 40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze. Standout competitors included the small, but mighty, Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, speed-demon Cole Hocker, Gabrielle Thomas, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Ilona Maher, and Frederick Richard.
From the beginning, these games were particularly memorable. To take advantage of Paris’s gorgeous architectural landscape, France became the first country to host the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics outside a stadium. Instead, the event was hosted in the heart of the city (along the famed Seine River). Athletes were able to view the performance from boats for each national delegation. Lady Gaga, Aya Nakamura, Gojira, and Celine Dion headlined the event, each delivering spectacular performances that paid homage to the host country. In particular, Dion stood above the crowd— both in vantage point and vocally. The star has had numerous health issues to overcome, but managed to deliver an awe-inspiring triumph.
Celine Dion atop the Eiffel Tower
Not only were there amazing performances vocally, but also in gymnastics. After winning silver at the Tokyo 2021 Games, the women’s gymnastics team looked to come back to their streak of golds from the prior two Olympics, declaring this year’s Olympic run their “Redemption Tour”. The team was led by Olympic veteran Simone Biles (who was forced to withdraw from some of her events last year due to mental health challenges), along with Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera.
Overall, this team dominated across the board, earning gold in the team all-around. Additionally, Simone Biles won gold in both the individual all-around and vault, as well as silver in floor exercise. Suni Lee secured the bronze medal for uneven bars and the individual all-around. Jade Carey earned the bronze for vault. It is worth noting that Jordan Chiles originally placed fifth in floor, but after her score was called for re-evaluation, placed third. However, because the request for the reevaluation was submitted a few seconds after the deadline, she was not awarded the bronze medal.
On the men’s side, social-media sensation Stephen Nedoroscik took bronze for pommel horse. His team made history by earning bronze in the team all-around, the first U.S. medal in the men’s team gymnastics final since the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Swimming was a highly anticipated event of this year’s games, with the feud between powerhouses U.S. and Australia growing stronger. But, the U.S. came out as the top medal winner and broke world records in the mixed 4x100m medley relay, men’s 1500m freestyle, and women’s 4x100m medley relay. Katie Ledecky defended her title of greatest female Olympic swimmer by earning four medals, including two gold, at her fourth Olympic Games. This included the women’s 1500m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay team, and 800m freestyle. Furthermore, Bobby Finke dominated the men’s 1500m freestyle.
Crowds of 70,000-plus packed the Stade de France for nearly two weeks to watch track and field events. The United States did not disappoint, earning 34 total medals, the most since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set the world record in the women’s 400m hurdles.
Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Kaylyn Brown, and Bryce Deadman kept up record-breaking pace in the mixed 4x400m relay. Sha’Carri Richardson, who was not able to run at the Tokyo Games after testing positive for marijuana usage, made her redemption with two Olympic medals. And, Cole Hocker sped through the men’s 1500m, earning gold. This allowed the American men to medal at every distance 1,500 meters and up, which has not been done since 1904.
While the U.S. fought to set records in track, basketball was about maintaining global prominence. Ever since NBA players were permitted to play in the Olympics for the 1992 Games, Team USA has dominated the competition, winning eight of the nine men’s gold medals issued since then. This year was no exception; the U.S. took gold in both men’s and women’s basketball. In both final rounds, the Americans faced up against the French team. The women’s final, in particular, was very fierce. The U.S. was very disjointed for the first half, allowing for France to momentarily take the lead. Both teams were the best defensively in the tournament, making it harder to secure points. But, the U.S. managed to pull ahead, gaining a one point lead. Team USA was composed of familiar faces, such as Brittney Griner, A’Ja Wilson, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James.
Similar team success was found for women’s soccer, who secured gold, triumphing 1-0 over Brazil. Mallory Swanson scored the decisive goal in this tight contest. Team coach Emma Hayes reflected: “They [USA players] have received me so well and have taken on board everything I have asked [of them], they are tremendous people, players, and role models – I love them.”
This year was the first (and last) time breaking was included in the Olympics. While the event was meant to showcase the artistry of hip-hop and encourage viewership of non-traditional sports, the event garnered nothing but online ridicule. The main performance sparking this discourse is that of Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, also known as B-Girl Raygun. While other breakers were wowing the audience, this particular individual chose to flop on the floor and spin, bearing a strong resemblance to a kid pretending to dance.
Besides breaking, other nontraditional sports, such as archery, fencing, synchronized swimming, and cycling captivated audiences because, most of the time, it is the audience’s only exposure to that particular event.
Athletes were not the only ones hard at work; commentators also gave the job their all. Both Snoop Dog and Colin Jost provided hilarious commentary from the French mainland and Tahiti (where surfing was hosted). However, after a few hard days of surfing fails, margaritas, and pool time, Colin Jost was not able to finish his trip due to multiple ailments, including, but not limited to a staph infection, ear infection, and cut on his foot.
Colin was not the only one with medical issues at the Olympics; several athletes who swam in the Seine reported gastrointestinal illnesses after their events, but it wasn’t clear whether bacteria in the water were to blame.
To finish out the excitement, all athletes enjoyed the closing ceremony, with Tom Cruise jumping from the Stade de France, ‘Golden Voyager’ leading interpretive dance, and Yseult rounding out the spectacle with Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”
As the Olympic flame goes out, it’s important to recognize the talent of both these athletes and those who will compete in this year’s Paralympics (which you should totally have tuned in for).
