The 2024 Paris Olympics are here, they are starting, and the world is ready to stop for the next two weeks to honor and enjoy an ancient tradition that lasts for more than two millenniums.
The official decision to designate Paris as the host city for the XXXIII Summer Olympic Games was made during the 131st International Olympic Committee (IOC) session held on September 13, 2017, in Lima, Peru. With this victory, France has earned the privilege to host the Olympic Games on its soil for the sixth time. Paris, in particular, will join an elite city club by hosting the Summer Olympics for the third time (1900, 1924, and 2024).
🔥 It's tomorrow! Let's repeat it together. The #Paris2024 Opening Ceremony is tomorrow!!! 😍
What are your plans for watching it? #Paris2024 @Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/etqMVnjjft
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 25, 2024
Besides these summer gatherings, France has also hosted the Winter Olympic Games on three occasions: the inaugural Winter Games in Chamonix in 1924, the 10th Winter Games in Grenoble in 1968, and the 16th Winter Games in Albertville in 1992.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will feature a comprehensive program that includes competitions across 32 sports and 329 distinct disciplines.
Hot Takes Before the Olympics
A few topics raise the most buzz in the media and among fans. This article will discuss some of them.
The first is whether any team can stop the USA basketball unit. Over the years, many countries have challenged the USA, which is why Steve Kerr brought his best possible roster to Paris.
Many say that the battle between them and the rest of the competitors is not fair because the Americans aren’t subjected to doping control (as in any other sport) and because the officials constantly look through their violation of handling and dribble rules. Let’s remind everyone that FIBA rules are applied here, not the NBA.
However, with LeBron, Steph, Durant, and others, this isn’t a valid reason why Team USA stands as the absolute favorite to win the gold. They are possibly the best unit in the history of basketball.
Serbia, Germany, Australia, and many others hope to see them upsetting the invincible Americans. Can they do it? We don’t believe it.
Simone Beals’ Comeback
Simone Biles suffered a hard defeat three years ago in Tokyo, which shook her so much that she decided to retire. She broke and had to step down even though she had much more to give. Now, the 27-year-old American is on a mission to get back what hers and prove once more that she is one of the best gymnasts ever.
Since the Russian team won’t participate, the chances for Biles winning the gold are extremely high, so we just might see another big-time comeback.
Djokovic’s Quest For Glory
It’s the same with Novak. Whether we want to admit that or not, many of the media and pundits wrote off the Serbian, saying that his time is over, particularly after a hard loss at the Wimbledon finals against Alcaraz. However, many forgot that he had surgery a month earlier and that he wasn’t 100% fit.
The Serb needs a gold medal, as the Olympics is the only big tournament he never conquered. If he manages to grab the title here, the critics won’t be able to diminish his legacy, and he will once again prove his greatness and iron will.
Russia Incomplete
Plenty of Russian athletes won’t participate due to the war in Ukraine. Some were banned, and some simply won’t come to Paris to compete under the Olympic flag, which undoubtedly is a great hit for sports. Russians are always among the best teams at the Olympics, and in certain sports, the fans will be denied the pleasure of seeing some of the best athletes in the world.
