The Summer Olympics 2024 is just a few weeks away as the athletes gear up for the mega event that is scheduled to take place in France. Paris is the main host city along with 16 other cities spread across Metropolitan France. The multi-sport event has been a grand success over the years and participants from across the world have given some of their best performances under pressure in the major events.
Once again all eyes of the fans will be on the world’s greatest athletes. As they compete for medals once more. From heavyweights China and Great Britain to front-runners the United States, many countries will be vying for the top spot in the medal table with a series of outstanding performances. There are still many individual stars who will be leading the way and want to see themselves in the spotlight.
Cricket, breaking (making its Olympic debut), sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing have once again found their way into the multi-sport event. Except these, there are some individual events in which the athletes will try to give their best for the country and win a medal. In the article, we will take a look at some of the athletes who can shine in the Paris Olympics 2024.
Here are the top 10 athletes to keep an eye on for Paris Olympics 2024
10. Simone Biles (USA, Gymnastics)
Simone Biles made an amazing back in 2016 at the Rio Olympics. The Gymnast was impressive winning four gold medals eight years ago. But in the 2020 event, the performance was quite contrasting as she only picked up a silver and a bronze to take home with her.
The 26-year-old athlete will be heading toward her third Olympics and she will be eying a return to form and etch her name in the history books cementing her place as the premier female gymnast of her generation in impressive style.
9. Avinash Sable (India, Athletics)
Avinash Sable is an Indian track and field athlete who specializes in 3000 meters steeplechase. Presently he holds the national record of 8:11.20 for 5000m, set at the 2022 Commonwealth Games where he won the silver medal. He was also the first athlete from outside Kenya had win a medal in men’s 3000m.
At the 2020 Summer Olympics, he came 7th and was the fastest non-qualifier across all heats. In the Olympics 2024, he will look to prove something for the country and win a medal at the major event for India.
8. Dominika Banevic ( Lithuania, Breaking)
Dominika Banevic will be making her debut alongside the sport Breaking in the 2024 Olympics. This is the first time breakdance will be included in the multisport event. The 17-year-old shocked the field to win the 2023 world title, becoming the youngest b-girl ever to win a world championship.
In the recent Asian Games, she fell short in the semi-final losing to China’s Liu Qingyi. Nicka came up short against the Asian Games champion but she will be proving to make her mark in the major event in Paris.
7. Rory McIlroy (Ireland, Golf)
Rory McIlroy reigns from the U.K. region of Northern Ireland. But he proudly represents the Emerald Isle when it comes to Olympic competition. The 34-year-old remains among the very best golfers in the world, and is a threat to win any time in the event.
He missed out on a medal in the last Summer Olympics as part of a wild seven-man playoff for the bronze medal. He will look to end his near-decade-long drought in major championships in the upcoming event.
6. Thiago Almada (Argentina, Football)
Thiago Almada has been an upcoming superstar for Argentina. The creative midfielder was crucial in Argentina’s run to qualify for the Olympics. He will be a key factor if the team goes all the way to the final, considering the team’s attack is mainly built around him.
The Atlanta United footballer failed to make it to the 26-man squad for the three-time world champions. Javier Mascherano needed him fully fit for the upcoming Olympics, and due to the workload management, the manager did not allow him to participate in the ongoing tournament.
5. Ahmed Hafnaoui (Tunisia, Swimming)
Ahmed Hafnaoui was the first Tunisian to win gold in Tokyo 2020. He made the headlines after he won the gold in the 400-meter freestyle. Since then has only seen his stature rise after winning two gold medals in the 1500m freestyle and 400m freestyle events at the World Championships.
Given his young age of 21, there’s a strong chance he will be around for a long time, and when they travel to France, he will be full of expectations to lead his country to victory once more.
4. Carlos Alcaraz (Spain, Tennis)
Carlos Alcaraz has been impressive since winning the 2022 US Open. He became the youngest man and the first male teenager in the Open Era to top the singles rankings. He then went on to win the Wimbledon the following year.
Alcaraz also achieved a new milestone by becoming the youngest player ever to hold the No.1 rank in the ATP Rankings for men’s singles. He will be heading towards his first Olympics and will be looking to earn a medal in France.
3. Ma Long (China, Table Tennis)
Ma Long is regarded as the greatest ever table tennis player in history. The 35-year-old has already won a record five gold medals. Making him the most decorated Olympian in the field of competition. He made history in Tokyo by being the first player to win back-to-back gold in the men’s singles category. Paris Olympics might be his final appearance and he has a chance to break his record, potentially taking home a sixth gold medal.
2. Sha’Carri Richardson (USA, Athletics)
Sha’Carri Richardson was removed from participating in the 2020 Olympics after she was involved in an adverse drug test. But following their three medals at the previous year’s World Championships. After she hits the track in France in the upcoming months.
She will be a strong favourite to win at least one, if not more. Carri has also the chance to become the first American woman to win a gold medal since 1996 in the 100m event.
1. Neeraj Chopra (India, Javelin)
Neeraj Chopra made the headlines as he became only the second Indian to win an individual Gold medal in the Olympics after Abhinav Bindra. The Javelin thrower in sensational form going to the Olympics. Chopra will wish to repeat those heroics to defend his coveted title.
He will look to add to the individual medal list and once again create a world record as he did previously in Hangzhou China during the 2022 Asian Games for the nation.
