Friday, November 22, 2024

Olympic Games 2024 most memorable moments in pictures

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As we say “au revoir” to the Olympic Games, here is a look back at some of the most memorable and viral moments of Paris 2024.

Right from the start, the Games in the French capital made history, with a floating opening ceremony that took place along the River Seine.

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Olympic delegates wave flags as they travel past the Notre Dame. Pic: Reuters

Celine Dion performed on the Eiffel Tower for the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Pic: Reuters
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Celine Dion performed on the Eiffel Tower. Pic: Reuters

Despite the drizzly weather, megastars including Celine Dion and Lady Gaga added to the glamour of the four-hour-long show.

Keir Starmer shelters from the rain
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Sir Keir Starmer shelters from the rain. Pic: Reuters

But it was British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was pictured wearing a Team GB branded cagoule among unprepared dignitaries who had to settle for plastic waterproof ponchos, who became one of the first viral moments.

Paris 2024 Olympics - Skateboarding - Men's Park Final - La Concorde 4, Paris, France - August 07, 2024. U.S. rapper Snoop Dogg during the final. REUTERS/Mike Blake
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Snoop Dogg had numerous viral moments during the Games. Pic: Reuters

Another unconventional star of the Games was rapper Snoop Dogg, whose involvement took social media by storm, including him looking dapper at the equestrian, having a swimming lesson from Michael Phelps, and giving his unique commentary on the badminton.

Andy Murray reacts after the last match of his tennis career. Pic: Reuters
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Andy Murray retired from professional tennis after the Olympics. Pic: Reuters

“Never even liked tennis anyway,” the five words Andy Murray wrote on X after his professional career ended with defeat in the quarter-finals of the Olympic men’s doubles.

The Scot retired from tennis having won three Grand Slam singles titles, two Olympic gold medals and one Davis Cup during arguably the most competitive era in men’s tennis. He also achieved a world number one ranking.

Keely Hodgkinson, of Britain, celebrates after winning the women's 800-meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
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Keely Hodgkinson took gold in the women’s 800m. Pic: AP

Gold medallist Toby Roberts.
Pic: Reuters
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Toby Roberts is Team GB’s first medallist in climbing. Pic: Reuters

Paris 2024 Olympics - Artistic Swimming - Duet Victory Ceremony - Aquatics Centre, Saint-Denis, France - August 10, 2024. Silver medallists Kate Shortman of Britain and Isabelle Thorpe of Britain celebrate. REUTERS/Maye-E Wong
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(L-R) Kate Shortman and Izzy Thorpe. Pic: Reuters

For the first time, Britain won medals for the women’s 800m, men’s boulder & lead, and artistic swimming, with runner Keely Hodgkinson, climber Toby Roberts bagging gold and swimmers Izzy Thorpe and Kate Shortman winning silver.

Aug 5, 2024; Paris, France; Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bow to gold medalist Rebeca Andrade of Brazil on the floor exercise on day three of the gymnastics event finals during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
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Pic: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most iconic photos from the Games was when highly-decorated US gymnast Simone Biles and fellow Team USA athlete Jordan Chiles bowed down while on the podium as Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade received a gold medal for her floor routine.

Aug 3, 2024; Paris, France; Stephen Nedoroscik of the United States celebrates after winning the bronze medal in the pommel horse on the first day of gymnastics event finals during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Bercy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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Stephen Nedoroscik whipping off his glasses to perform on the pommel horse. Pic: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, Team USA male gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik was named “Clark Kent of the pommel horse” after he spent nearly three hours sitting on the sidelines before stepping up for his event – which he whipped off his glasses for – helping the men’s team secure their first medal in 16 years.

FILE - Australia's Natalie Van Coevorden (15), Belgium's Claire Michel (5) and Ekaterina Shabalina, of Kazakhstan (32) compete in the swim leg of the women's individual triathlon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. Belgium's Olympic committee announced Sunday Aug.4, 2024 that it would withdraw its team from the mixed relay triathlon at the Paris Olympics after one of its competitors who swam in the Seine River fell ill. Claire Michel, who competed in the women's triathlon Wednesday, "is unfortunately ill and will have to withdraw from the competition," the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee said in a statement. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
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Pollution levels in the River Seine caused delays to triathlon events. Pic: AP

Pollution levels in the River Seine threatened open-water swimming events, with the men’s triathlon postponed as French authorities battled to get levels of E.coli in the water under control.

Events in the Seine eventually took place after water tests were reviewed, but Belgium pulled out of the Olympic mixed relay triathlon after an athlete who swam in the river fell ill – the country did not elaborate on the cause of the illness.

A lifeguard jumps into the competition pool to retrieve United States swimmer Emma Webber's swimming cap that happened to have been left at the bottom of the pool during the morning session at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
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‘Bob the Cap Catcher’ dives in to retrieve a swimming hat. Pic: AP

An unsung hero dubbed “Bob the Cap Catcher” thrilled fans as he dived into the water at the La Defense Arena to retrieve US swimmer Emma Weber’s cap that had come loose during a heat for the women’s 100m breaststroke.

A lifeguard gestures to the crowd after retrieving United States swimmer Emma Webber's swimming cap that happened to have been left at the bottom of the pool during the morning session at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
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Pic: AP

The speedo-wearing man – who is believed to be a lifeguard – walked out to cheers from the crowds and was given the nickname by US swimming commentators Jason Knapp and Amy Van Dyken.

Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, who won the silver in the mixed team 10-meter air pistol event in Paris 2024 Olympics combined with Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, is pictured during a training in Ankara, Turkey, August 8, 2024. REUTERS/Cagla Gurdogan
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Yusuf Dikec, the Turkish shooter who has gone viral.. Pic: Reuters

Turkey’s very own action man, silver medallist Yusuf Dikec, went viral after he was pictured competing in the air pistol mixed team event with his non-shooting hand casually tucked into his pocket.

FILE PHOTO: Paris 2024 Olympics - Shooting - 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Gold Medal - Chateauroux Shooting Centre, Deols, France - July 30, 2024. Sevval Ilayda Tarhan of Turkey (L) and Yusuf Dikec of Turkey in action. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo
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(L-R) Turkey’s mixed air pistol team Sevval Ilayda Tarhan and Yusuf Dikec. Pic: Reuters

The pose was later adopted by other athletes including Team GB’s women’s 4x400m relay team who all made gun symbols with their hands as they came out before the race.

Yaroslava Mahuchikh, of Ukraine, rests before competing in the women's high jump final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
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Yaroslava Mahuchikh resting in a sleeping bag during the high jump final. Pic: AP

Being an athlete is tiring work, as Ukrainian high jump gold medallist Yaroslava Mahuchikh demonstrated after she was filmed wrapped in a sleeping bag with her eyes closed while her competitors took their turns.

Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon napping
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Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon napping. Pic: Instagram

Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon also caught the attention of social media after he was pictured by Saudi Arabian rower, Husein Alireza, having a nap on the grass next to a bench in the Olympic village.

The swimmer later claimed during an interview with Italian broadcaster Rai that a lack of air conditioning and poor quality food within the Village meant a lot of athletes were leaving.

Algeria's Imane Khelif, left, fights Italy's Angela Carini in their women's 66kg preliminary boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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Algeria’s Imane Khelif (left) fights Italy’s Angela Carini. Pic: AP

A controversy that continued to make headlines throughout the Games was a gender boxing row that saw Algerian gold medallist Imane Khelif under scrutiny after some argued she might have elevated testosterone that can lead to extra strength and muscle – potentially endangering opponents.

Algeria's Imane Khelif, red, next to Italy's Angela Carini, at the end of their women's 66kg preliminary boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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Pic: AP

The row began after Italian boxer Angela Carini quit their fight after 46 seconds, saying it was to protect her health as the Algerian’s punches were so strong.

Australia's Rachael Gunn went viral after her performance. Pic; AP
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Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn scored no points. Pic: AP

Breakdancing made its Olympic debut in Paris, and as the competition unfolded it was 36-year-old Australian professor Raygun, real name Rachael Gunn, who arguably stole the show.

Her routine which involved unconventional moves was largely mocked on social media and even fell flat with the judges as she left the competition without earning a single point.

Another new discipline for the 2024 Games was surfing. Taking place in Tahiti, photographer Jerome Brouillet captured a remarkable photo of Brazil’s Gabriel Medina seemingly levitating above the ocean with his arm raised.

 A whale is seen as Tatiana Weston-Webb of Brazil and Brisa Hennessy of Costa Rica look for waves during Heat 2.
Pic: Reuters
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The moment a whale photobombed the Olympic surfing. Pic: Reuters


Another eye-catching moment was caught on camera when a whale breached during the event’s semi-final.

China's He Bingjiao celebrates on the podium after wining the silver medal at the badminton women singles at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
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China’s He Bingjiao carries Spanish pin (in black circle) on the podium. Pic: AP

Chinese badminton player He Bingjiao proved the Games is about more than winning or losing as she carried a Spanish flag pin on the podium when she collected her silver medal.

Paris 2024 Olympics - Badminton - Women's Singles Semifinals - Porte de La Chapelle Arena, Paris, France - August 04, 2024. Carolina Marin of Spain reacts to an injury during the match against Bing Jiao He of China. REUTERS/Ann Wang
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Pic: Reuters

The gesture was a nod to Spain’s Carolina Marin who was forced to abandon the badminton women’s singles competition after sustaining an injury in the pair’s semi-final match.

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