GOING FOR THE GOLD

Paris closed out two and a half extraordinary weeks of Olympic sports and emotion with a boisterous, star-studded show at France’s national stadium on August 11. In a display of Hollywood showmanship, Tom Cruise descended from the top of the French stadium to the Mission Impossible theme song, shaking hands with athletes before taking the Olympic flag from Simone Biles. He then put it on the back of a motorcycle and drove out of the stadium.

In a pre-recorded segment, Cruise rode his bike past the Eiffel Tower, then onto a plane, and skydived out of it over the Hollywood Hills. Three rings were added to the O’s of the famous Hollywood sign to create five interlaced Olympic rings. Singer Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, rapper Snoop Dogg, and his longtime collaborator Dr Dre all performed at Venice Beach. Crowds of athletes rushed the stage to watch French pop-rock band Phoenix. French singer Yseult delivered a breathtaking performance at the closing ceremony, dressed in an exquisite Dior Haute Couture ensemble that paid homage to the iconic fashion house’s rich history. The opening ceremony on July 26 included performances from Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, and the French heavy metal band Gojira among others.

Overall, the Paris Olympics served as a stage for both athletic prowess and controversies. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict cast a shadow over it, with the Israeli delegation facing a hostile environment. Anti-Semitic incidents, including death threats and a banner branding the Games ‘Genocide Olympics,’ marred the spirit of the event. The protests and abuse directed at Israeli athletes starkly contrasted with the Olympic ideals of unity and peace, thereby highlighting the challenges of keeping politics out of the Games.

Moreover, French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla found herself at the centre of a significant controversy leading up to the Olympics. As a Muslim woman, Sylla wears a hijab, which conflicted with France’s strict secular laws that prohibit religious symbols in public spaces, including those worn by public sector workers. This meant that Sylla was initially barred from participating in the opening ceremony due to her headscarf.

The issue sparked widespread debate and criticism, with many athletes and supporters expressing their disappointment and disbelief. Ultimately, a compromise was reached, allowing Sylla to participate in the ceremony while wearing a cap instead of her hijab. While this solution enabled her presence, the controversy highlighted the ongoing tension between religious freedom and secular principles in France, particularly within the realm of sports and public life.

Swimming in the Seine was not an enjoyable experience for several athletes this Olympics. Amid reports of the presence of E Coli bacteria in the river, which affected some athletes, some events including the mixed triathlon practice sessions were cancelled. Belgium withdrew from the mixed team relay after Claire Michel fell ill.However, Michel later confirmed that her illness was not due to the bacteria in the river but a virus. Other athletes who fell sick after swimming in the Seine include Switzerland’s Adrien Brifford and Canada’s Tyler Mislawchuck. Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, both identifying as women and having long histories in women’s boxing, found themselves at the centre of a storm. After being disqualified from the 2023 World Championships for failing eligibility tests, questions about their gender arose. This ignited a broader debate on the treatment of female athletes, with critics arguing that the focus on sex testing is discriminatory and invasive. The case highlights a long-standing issue of female athletes being subjected to humiliating scrutiny, particularly those from developing countries. The USA finished on top of the overall medal table with a total of 126 medals, while China came in second place with 91 medals. The 2028 Olympics will be held in Los Angeles.

SIMONE BILES
Gymnastics, USA
She secured gold medals in the individual all-around, vault, and team rounds. Although she narrowly missed out on gold in the floor exercise and settled for silver, her brilliance shone through, cementing her legacy as a legendary gymnast.

LI WENWEN
Weightlifting, China
She won the women’s heavyweight category and gave China its fifth Olympic weightlifting gold in Paris.

LEBRON JAMES
Basketball, USA
He clinched his third gold medal as he led Team USA to victory. The win against France also marked the United States’ fifth consecutive Olympic gold.

LÉON MARCHAND
Swimming, France
The French sensation captured the hearts of his home crowd by securing a historic double gold in the 200m butterfly and 200m breaststroke, a feat never before achieved.

SHA’CARRI RICHARDSON
Sprints, USA
With her breathtaking anchor leg in the 4×100 meter relay, she not only secured the coveted gold medal but also showcased her signature blend of speed, confidence, and undeniable charisma.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Tennis, Serbia
The record-breaking 24-time Grand Slam champion etched his name into tennis history by winning the Olympic gold medal and completing the elusive Golden Slam.

IMANE KHELIF
Boxing, Algeria
Her incredible performance captured the hearts of a cheering crowd and made history as she secured Algeria’s first-ever women’s boxing gold medal.