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The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, was historical, filled with magical moments, broken records, and athletes staking their claim in history for their respective countries and sports. The United States of America and China tied for the most total gold medals at 40 apiece, with the USA Men's Basketball team winning their fifth consecutive gold medal, the USA Women's Basketball team claiming their eighth consecutive, and the USA women's track star Sydney Mclaughlin-Levrone being superhuman, breaking and helping set records.
Let's dive into my four takeaways from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Is The Face of the USA Women's Track & Field Team
McLaughlin-Levrone's performances in the 2024 Paris Olympics were nothing short of awe-inspiring. In the women's 400-meter hurdles final, she shattered her own world record (50.65) set in June at the U.S. Olympic Trials, clocking in at 50.37. Mclaughlin-Levrone has now broken her record six different times. She holds six of the top 10 fastest times in the event's history, including the top three.
After her victory, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone expressed her gratitude, saying, "Grateful to God for this opportunity, grateful to be celebrating my 25th birthday like this. It was yesterday, just a super opportunity, you can't even imagine."
McLaughlin-Levrone's success was not limited to individual events. She was vital to the record-breaking USA Women's 4x400 Relay Final team, including Shamier Little, Gabby Thomas, and Alexis Holmes. Their combined efforts led to a new U.S. record of 3:15.27, securing their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
"It was kind of a joint decision between me and the coaches," McLaughlin-Levrone said of running the second leg, unusual for someone who usually anchors. "We knew it was gonna look a little unconventional, but we knew if we did our parts it was going to be fun."
She did not disappoint. After Little's 49.30 split, that was crucial in closing in on Jamaica on the lead-off leg. Then McLaughlin-Levrone took off like a beam of light, like a rocket launcher, finishing with a blistering 47.70 split, creating immense separation between her and the rest of the field, relegating everyone else to fight for second place as she handed it off to Thomas, the 200-meter champion at the Olympic games.
Each of the 4x400 USA finalist runners finished with a split of sub-50, helping set a new U.S. record of 3:15.27! This collective effort marked a historic feat, helping the team capture their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal. It also marked McLaughlin-Levrone's second successive Olympic gold in the 400-meter hurdles and 4x400 relay. The joy of shared success was palpable.
McLaughin-Levrone, 25, is only hitting the prime of her career. She was named the 2022 Women's World Athlete Of The Year, among other awards. She has entrenched her name amongst the greatest athletes of the modern era, entering another stratosphere after these Olympics.
Beware USA…Victor Wembanyama Is Coming
Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports
After being defeated in the Gold Medal game (98-87) by the USA for the second consecutive time, France’s 20-year-old 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama, often referred to as an 'alien' due to his extraordinary height and skills, issued a warning for his future opponents to Mike Finger of The San Antonio Express-News:
"I'm learning, and I'm worried for the opponents in a couple of years," Wembanyama said. When Finger asked if he meant in the NBA or FIBA, Wembanyama coldly replied, "Everywhere."
That's a scary thought if you're an NBA team outside the Spurs or any country outside France in the coming years, as Wembanyama is just scratching the surface of his limitless potential. He nearly led France to a gold medal at just 20, having a game-high in points (26) on 11-of-19 from the field (3-of-8 from three) to pair with seven rebounds in a game that featured the defining legends of a generation, such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, among other superstars on the United States.
France might have taken the gold if not for Curry's scintillating shot-making down the stretch, which included three three-pointers in the final two minutes and eight threes for 24 points (a USA team-high). They were within three points at the 2:46 mark (82-79) before the greatest shooter to ever walk the planet started to get cooking.
Despite the loss, Wembanyama had his best performance of the Olympics on the biggest stage and damn near looked like the best player on the floor that also featured three top-15 players of all time in James, Durant, and Curry. That's saying a lot! Come 2028, those three players will all but likely won't be on the Olympic roster in Los Angeles.
That should bode well for Wembanyama, who'll be more experienced and seasoned by then with better talent coming his way from projected 2025 top-five pick in French star guard Nolan Traore, this year's top two picks in Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, amongst others on the rise joining the crew by then.
France is on the rise. It's only a matter of time until Wembanyama leads them to a gold medal. It's inevitable.
2024 USA Men's Basketball Gold Marked the End of an Era
LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry are the three pillars of an NBA generation of basketball players who have uplifted the sport into a new stratosphere throughout their remarkable careers. The 2024 Olympics was bittersweet for all three, as it marked a honeymoon ending for a golden generation of basketball:
James became the first USA Men's Basketball player to win a gold medal in three decades ('08, '12, '24) and a total of four. Winning FIBA Olympic MVP as well.
Durant became the all-time scoring leader in USA Men's basketball history, winning the most gold medals ever (4), surpassing Carmelo Anthony.
Curry wins his first gold medal in what may be his only Olympic appearance. It sure was a great one!
All three displayed why they are renowned in basketball lore with their transformative skill sets and unmatched leadership. Whether it's James' signature chase-down block off the glass against France, Durant crossing over his defender pulling into a jumper effortlessly, or Curry hitting a psychologically demoralizing three to go "Night Night" over the double-team efforts of France to all but seal the gold for the USA.
What they have done for the game of basketball can't be denied. We should all appreciate them while they're still here.
US Women Dominated The Paris Olympics
Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Remember that old Beyonce verse, “Who runs the world? Girls, (Girls).” That was the truth magnified at the 2024 Paris Olympics as we saw the increase in the elevation of women's sports taking center stage.
From Simone Biles becoming the most decorated gymnast of all time- taking home three gold and one silver medal in Paris, Sha’Carri Richardson securing her first Olympic gold with an iconic photo in the Women’s 4x100 Relay Final that was a spectacle to behold.
Or how about USA Women’s Basketball claiming their eighth consecutive gold medal led by FIBA Olympic MVP A’ja Wilson, USA swimming icon Katie Ledecky continues to reign supreme, USA Women’s soccer taking home their fifth gold medal led by Mallory Swanson’s go-ahead winning goal to defeat Brazil, amongst many other women help dominate in Paris.
The women accounted for a staggering 65% of the US's total medals (126) while accumulating 26 of the 40 gold medals—a unique achievement in history and a brilliant display of utter domination!
Let's give these ladies flowers and salute them for their astounding performances.
Go USA!
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