2024 Paris Olympics: Athletes to watch
- Related Topics:
- Olympic Games
- Paralympic Games
The Paris Olympics officially began on July 26, 2024. Over the course of the next two weeks, some 10,500 athletes will compete in 329 events. The Games will feature a full roster of star athletes, and there will undoubtedly be a number of breakout stars. Who should be on your radar? Read on for our list of athletes who are likely to make news in Paris.
Gymnastics
Simone Biles
One of the greatest gymnasts in the history of the sport, Simone Biles is hoping to add to her legacy in Paris. She is returning for her third Olympics after making headlines at the 2020 Games in Tokyo (delayed until 2021 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic). There she raised awareness of mental health issues and the pressures placed on athletes after she withdrew from a number of events due to the “twisties,” a mental block in which gymnasts lose their spatial orientation during aerial moves.
- Country: United States
- Birth date: March 14, 1997
- Olympic medals: 6 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze
Suni Lee
Sometimes overshadowed by her teammate Simone Biles, Suni Lee seized the moment at the 2020 Olympic Games, after Biles withdrew from a number of events. Lee went on to win a gold medal in the all-around event and a bronze in the uneven bars. She also helped the U.S. team capture a silver in the team event. For the past two years, Lee has been dealing with a kidney-related health issue, but she competed in Paris.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: March 9, 2003
- Olympic medals: 2 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze
Track and field
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
A two-time gold medalist in the 100-meter dash, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is considered one of the world’s best female sprinters. Known as the “Pocket Rocket”—she is 5 feet 3 inches (1.6 meters) tall—she won gold medals in the 100-meter race at both the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2012 London Games. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she earned a silver medal in the event. Fraser-Pryce has announced that the 2024 Paris Games will be her last competition.
Quick facts- Country: Jamaica
- Birth date: December 27, 1986
- Olympic medals: 3 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze
Sha’Carri Richardson
Another outstanding sprinter is Sha’Carri Richardson. She was considered a medal contender for the 2020 Olympics but was unable to compete after testing positive for marijuana. She overcame that setback, and at the 2023 world championships she won a gold medal in the 100-meter dash, finishing with the fifth fastest time ever for a woman. With her speed as well as a bold signature style, Richardson will likely earn more fans during the Paris Games.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: March 25, 2000
- Olympic medals: 0
Eliud Kipchoge
Widely considered the world’s greatest marathoner, Eliud Kipchoge has won 15 of the 18 marathons in which he has raced. In addition to two Olympic gold medals, he has won the Chicago (2014), Berlin (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2023), and London (2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019) marathons. In addition, in 2019 he broke the two-hour mark in an unsanctioned marathon, finishing in 1 hr 59 min 40 sec. However, the time was not officially recognized, since the event did not follow competition rules.
- Country: Kenya
- Birth date: November 5, 1984
- Olympic medals: 2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze
Noah Lyles
In 2023 American sprinter Noah Lyles became known as “the fastest man in the world” after winning a trio of gold medals—in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, and the 4 × 100-meter relay—at the world championships. That title will be on the line at the Paris Games, where he hopes to win his first Olympic gold medals. In addition to his performance on the track, Lyles will likely draw attention for his sense of style.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: July 18, 1997
- Olympic medals: 1 bronze
Neeraj Chopra
Neeraj Chopra is one of the leading competitors in the javelin throw. He began making a name for himself in 2016, and at the 2020 Tokyo Games he became the first Indian track-and-field athlete to win Olympic gold. With that victory, Chopra also became the second Indian, after marksman Abhinav Bindra (2008), to win an individual Olympic gold medal.
Quick facts- Country: India
- Birth date: December 24, 1997
- Olympic medals: 1 gold
Skateboarding
Rayssa Leal
Dubbed the “Skate Fairy” at age seven, Rayssa Leal has had a fairy-tale career. She began winning international competitions at age 11, and at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics she won the silver in street skateboarding. With that win, the 13-year-old Leal became one of the youngest medalists in the history of the Games and the youngest Olympic medalist from Brazil.
Quick facts- Country: Brazil
- Birth date: January 4, 2008
- Olympic medals: 1 silver, 1 bronze
Yuto Horigome
Yuto Horigome began skateboarding as a toddler, and in 2018 he became the first Japanese athlete to win a Street League Skateboarding championship. Horigome’s success was partly attributed to his unparalleled control and finesse. At the 2020 Tokyo Games he continued to make history, becoming the first-ever Olympic gold medalist in the men’s street skateboarding event.
Quick facts- Country: Japan
- Birth date: January 7, 1999
- Olympic medals: 2 gold
Sport climbing
Natalia Grossman
Multidiscipline sport climber Natalia Grossman is considered a standout in bouldering. A notable competitor from an early age, she won her first world championship in 2021 at age 20. With that victory, she became the first American female to capture a world climbing title since 1995. Grossman has also won nine World Cup gold medals. She is scheduled to make her Olympic debut at the Paris Games.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: June 22, 2001
- Olympic medals: 0
Piper Kelly
Piper Kelly is a rising star in the sport of speed climbing. After struggling with numerous shoulder injuries that led to surgery in 2020, she had a breakthrough performance at the 2023 Pan American Games. There she posted a personal best competition time (7.52 sec) and earned a gold medal. With the victory, Kelly qualified for her first Olympics, the 2024 Paris Games.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: October 3, 1999
- Olympic medals: 0
Swimming and surfing
Carissa Moore
Carissa Moore is considered one of the greatest female surfers of all time. She is a five-time world champion (2011, 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2021) and the winner of the first Olympic gold medal in women’s surfing, at the 2020 Tokyo Games. In 2024 Moore announced that she will step away from surfing after competing in the Paris Olympics.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: August 27, 1992
- Olympic medals: 1 gold
Katie Ledecky
Katie Ledecky is one of the sport’s dominant freestylers, especially known for her performances in the 800 meters and 1,500 meters. At the age of 15 she made her Olympic debut, winning a gold medal at the 2012 London Games. Ledecky currently has 12 Olympic medals, 8 of which are gold, and her 26 world championship medals are a record for female swimmers.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: March 17, 1997
- Olympic medals: 8 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze
Ariarne Titmus
Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus burst onto the international swim scene in 2018 when she won three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. The freestyle specialist continued to make waves at the 2020 Tokyo Games, capturing gold medals in the 200-meter and 400-meter freestyle.
Quick facts- Country: Australia
- Birth date: September 7, 2000
- Olympic medals: 3 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze
Caeleb Dressel
Caeleb Dressel is a sprint specialist in the pool, known for his performances in the 50 meters and 100 meters. At the 2020 Tokyo Games, he became just the fifth swimmer to win five gold medals at a single Olympics. Many compare him to swimming legend Michael Phelps. With his numerous tattoos, Dressel is an instantly recognizable figure.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: August 16, 1996
- Olympic medals: 8 gold
Emma McKeon
Emma McKeon is the most successful Australian athlete in Olympic history, the winner of 12 medals. At the 2020 Games in Tokyo she made history by becoming the first female swimmer and the first Australian to win seven medals at a single Olympics. McKeon had earlier won four medals at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. She specializes in freestyle and butterfly races of 200 meters or less.
Quick facts- Country: Australia
- Birth date: May 24, 1994
- Olympic medals: 6 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze
Badminton
P.V. Sindhu
Badminton star P.V. Sindhu has had a history-making career. She is the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals—a silver medal at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games and a bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games—in addition to being the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Badminton World Federation Championships (2019). She also has ranked among the highest-paid female athletes.
Quick facts- Country: India
- Birth date: July 5, 1995
- Olympic medals: 1 silver, 1 bronze
Saina Nehwal
Born to professional badminton players, Saina Nehwal began playing the sport at a young age. In 2004 she became a nationally recognized junior champion, and she subsequently found immense success in international competitions, winning more than 20 titles. At the 2012 Games in London, Nehwal captured the women’s singles bronze medal, becoming the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal.
Quick facts- Country: India
- Birth date: March 17, 1990
- Olympic medals: 1 bronze
Basketball
LeBron James
LeBron James is one of basketball’s greatest all-around players. He won NBA championships with the Miami Heat (2012 and 2013), the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), and the Los Angeles Lakers (2020). In 2023 James became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, breaking the record (38,387) previously held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Paris Games will be his fourth Olympics.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: December 30, 1984
- Olympic medals: 2 gold, 1 bronze
Stephen Curry
American basketball player Stephen Curry is one of the game’s leading point guards, especially known for his three-point shot. He guided the Golden State Warriors to NBA championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022 and to the best regular-season record in league history (73–9) in 2015–16. He will make his Olympic debut at the Paris Games.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: March 14, 1988
- Olympic medals: 0
Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards is a rising star in the NBA, considered by some to be the future face of the league. The charismatic shooting guard is known for his theatrical dunks, accurate shooting, and resilience. In 2024 Edwards helped the Minnesota Timberwolves reach the conference finals for the first time in 20 years.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: August 5, 2001
- Olympic medals: 0
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is considered one of his generation’s best basketball players. In the 2013–14 season he was named the NBA’s MVP, and he later helped the Golden State Warriors win two NBA titles (2017, 2018). Durant also led the U.S. team to victory at the 2012 London Games, the first of three consecutive gold medal wins.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: September 29, 1988
- Olympic medals: 3 gold
Joel Embiid
NBA star Joel Embiid is a dominating center for the Philadelphia 76ers, known for his scoring, ballhandling, and defensive play. Born in Cameroon, he is the first international player to lead the NBA in scoring (2021–22), and he was named the league’s MVP in 2023. A citizen of both the United States, Cameroon, and France, he opted to play for the U.S. team at the Paris Games.
Quick facts- Country: United States (born in Cameroon)
- Birth date: March 16, 1994
- Olympic medals: 0
Jayson Tatum
As a member of the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum has become one of basketball’s leading forwards. Although a gifted all-around player, he is especially known for his offense; in a 2021 game he scored 60 points. Three years later he guided the Celtics to a record-setting 18th NBA championship. The Paris Games will mark his Olympic debut.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: March 3, 1998
- Olympic medals: 0
Anthony Davis
One of the most dominant big men in the NBA, Anthony Davis is noted for both his stifling defense and prolific scoring. After winning an NCAA championship with the University of Kentucky in 2012, he was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) with the number one overall pick. He later was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, and he helped the team win an NBA title in 2020.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: March 11, 1993
- Olympic medals: 1 gold
Giannis Antetokounmpo
After making his NBA debut in 2013, Giannis Antetokounmpo emerged as one of the league’s outstanding all-around players. He is a two-time winner of the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award (2019, 2020), and in 2021 he led the Milwaukee Bucks to a championship. Antetokounmpo was also named MVP of the finals, averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game for the series.
Quick facts- Country: Greece
- Birth date: December 6, 1994
- Olympic medals: 0
Nikola Jokić
NBA star Nikola Jokić is one of the most versatile talents of his generation. Widely considered the best-passing center in the sport’s history, he has won three NBA MVP awards (2021–22 and 2024) and led the Denver Nuggets to the 2023 NBA title. In addition, Jokić helped Serbia win a silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Quick facts- Country: Serbia
- Birth date: February 19, 1995
- Olympic medals: 1 (silver)
Victor Wembanyama
French basketball player Victor Wembanyama is known for his graceful style of play and extraordinary height (7 feet 4 inches [2.23 meters]). He was widely considered to be the most promising prospect of his generation when he was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the first pick of the 2023 NBA draft. In 2024 Wembanyama was named Rookie of the Year.
Quick facts- Country: France
- Birth date: January 4, 2004
- Olympic medals: 0
Sabrina Ionescu
Basketball player Sabrina Ionescu is a standout guard, known for her all-around play. She first gained widespread recognition during her record-breaking career at the University of Oregon and then became a star in the WNBA. As a member of the league’s New York Liberty, she continued to set records and became known for her three-point shooting.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: December 6, 1997
- Olympic medals: 0
Jimmer Fredette
Jimmer Fredette was a scoring sensation while playing on BYU’s basketball team and was later a journeyman in the NBA. He experienced a career resurgence after transitioning to 3x3 basketball in 2022. The following year he helped the U.S. team qualify for the Paris Games and was scheduled to make his Olympic debut there.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: February 25, 1989
- Olympics medals: 0
Tennis
Coco Gauff
With the retirement of Serena Williams in 2022, Coco Gauff has emerged as the leading U.S. player in women’s tennis. In 2023, at age 19, she became just the third American teenager to win the U.S. Open women’s title. That victory marked the culmination of Gauff’s steady rise to prominence, which began when she beat Venus Williams, one of her childhood idols, at the Wimbledon Championships in 2019, when she was just 15 years old. Gauff will be making her Olympic debut at the Paris Games.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: March 13, 2004
- Olympic medals: 0
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest men’s players in the history of tennis. His 24 Grand Slam singles titles—which includes an unprecedented 10 Australian Open championships—is a record for men. Djokovic is considered one of the game’s best returners, and he is also known for his backhand shot as well as his physical endurance. He will be making his fifth Olympic appearance at the Paris Games. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he won a bronze in the singles event.
Quick facts- Country: Serbia
- Birth date: May 22, 1987
- Olympic medals: 1 bronze
Rafael Nadal
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal emerged in the early 21st century as one of the game’s greatest competitors, especially noted for his performance on clay. He won a record 14 career French Open championships and was the first player to win 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles. In the early 2020s Nadal suffered a series of injuries, and he has announced that following the Paris Olympics, he will make a decision about his future in tennis.
Quick facts- Country: Spain
- Birth date: June 3, 1986
- Olympic medals: 2 gold
Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka has made news on and off the court. At the 2018 U.S. Open she became the first player from Japan to win a Grand Slam singles title. The following year she became the first Asian player to ascend to the top of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) world rankings. Osaka has used her celebrity to raise awareness of social causes, notably supporting Black Lives Matter protests, and has been open about mental health issues.
Quick facts- Country: Japan
- Birth date: October 16, 1997
- Olympic medals: 0
Andy Murray
In the 2010s Andy Murray who was one of the premier players in tennis, the winner of three Grand Slam titles and two men’s singles Olympic gold medals. In July 2013 he beat Novak Djokovic to became the first British winner of the men’s singles title at Wimbledon since Fred Perry 77 years earlier. Injuries later limited Murray’s play, and he will be retiring after the Paris Games.
Quick facts- Country: United Kingdom (Scotland)
- Birth date: May 15, 1987
- Olympic medals: 2 gold, 1 silver
Football (soccer)
Trinity Rodman
Trinity Rodman, the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, is one of the rising stars in U.S. women’s soccer. She is a forward for the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League and was named the NWSL Rookie of the Year in 2021. The following year Rodman became a member of the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT).
- Country: United States
- Birth date: May 20, 2002
- Olympic medals: 0
Sophia Smith
Soccer forward Sophia Smith is one of the top athletes in the sport. After helping Stanford win the 2019 NCAA championship, she joined the Portland Thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League, and in 2022 she became the youngest player to receive the regular-season MVP award in NWSL history. Smith made her debut with the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) in 2020.
Quick facts- Country: United States
- Birth date: August 10, 2000
- Olympic medals: 0