As the Paris Olympics 2024 near their conclusion, let’s take a look back at some of the unforgettable and widely shared moments from this year.
Mother’s love across the border
In the Javelin final, Arshad Ahmed from Pakistan achieved the gold medal, while Neeraj Chopra from India secured the silver. Their mothers expressed their utmost joy for their sons, demonstrating not only pride but also a deep bond with each other.
Saroj Devi, Neeraj Chopra’s mother, shared, “We are overjoyed with the silver. The athlete who earned the gold is just like our own child, and the one who secured the silver is equally dear to us. They are all dedicated athletes who have worked tirelessly.”
Raziah Parveen, Arshad Ahmed’s mother, also emphasized their connection, stating, “They are not just friends; they are like brothers. I also pray for Neeraj’s continued success.”
In place of animosity, there were joyous festivities in both nations, and both Saroj Devi and Razhia Parveen should be acknowledged for their role in shifting the conversation.
Shooting being cool
This year’s shooting competitions provided a mix of excitement and tension. Amidst the adrenaline-pumping action, there were some memorable moments that stood out.
Yusuf Dikec, the silver medalist in Turkish Olympic shooting, drew attention for his nonchalant style during the competition. His choice of standard glasses, a team T-shirt, and the casual posture of his left hand tucked in his pocket set him apart. Unlike his counterparts who relied on specialized equipment such as headphones, special lenses, and hats, Yusuf exuded a laid-back vibe.
Furthermore, South Korea’s Kim Yeji not only secured the silver medal in the women’s 10-meter air pistol contest but also garnered praise for her remarkable style. Social media commentators were captivated by the footage of the 31-year-old athlete competing in Paris, hailing both her striking appearance and her effortlessly cool demeanor.
Black podium and bow down
At the Olympic Games, the ethos of mutual support and sportsmanship was present. On the podium for the women’s floor exercise, the silver medalist Simone Biles and the bronze medalist Jordan Chiles of Team USA joyfully bowed down to the gold-medal winner, Team Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, as she celebrated her victory.
This heartwarming gesture held special significance as it marked the first time in Olympic gymnastics history that all three athletes on the podium were Black.
Chiles says “That was my idea, Rebeca has done a lot within her sport, within her country. So I felt like not only was it a Black podium, I felt like people should get recognized the proper way, and bowing down to her was like giving her that recognition that she deserved that medal.”
Woman like any other
Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer, found herself at the heart of a heated gender dispute during the Paris Olympic Games. Despite facing intense scrutiny over her gender, she achieved a historic feat by securing a gold medal.
In response to the controversy, she boldly stated, “I am fully qualified to take part. I am a woman like any other. I was born a woman, lived as a woman, and competed as a woman.”
Carrying a little Olympian
Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez made headlines after she disclosed that she was seven months pregnant during her participation in the women’s saber competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite being at an advanced stage of pregnancy, she managed to secure a victory against USA’s Elizabeth Tartakovsky in the first round before being eliminated by Jeon Hayoung of the Republic of Korea.
Hafez took to her Instagram page to share the surprising news, revealing that she was carrying her “little Olympian” while competing on the world stage.
She said “What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three.It was me, my competitor, & my yet-to-come to our world, little baby.
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