All eyes will be set on Paris, France, for the Olympics this summer. Unlike the past Olympic games, there is great emphasis and expectation for Paris 2024. Athletes from all over the world, representing their country’s best, will ascend on Paris in hopes of winning and taking home bronze, silver, and gold medals. The Olympic games are the world’s only truly global, multi-sport, celebratory athletics competition. With more than 200 countries participating in over 400 events across the summer and winter games. The grand anticipation of Paris 2024 stems from the fact Paris hasn’t hosted the games since a century ago, in 1924, and fans will also be able to attend the games in person since the pre-pandemic games of 2016. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were postponed due to the global COVID-19 outbreak that shut the world down and led to the rescheduled 2021 games, which were closed to public spectators.
The Black community has a lot to be proud of this summer and in years past. Prominent Black athletes such as Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, and Carl Lewis have set the foundation on how talented Black athletes can be on the highest platform. Black athletes have also raised their voice to injustice at the Olympic. No one can forget that during their Olympic medal ceremony in Mexico City in 1968, two African-American athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, each raised a black-gloved fist during the playing of the US national anthem. So, the excitement of witnessing the “GOAT” Simone Biles of Sugarland, Texas; swimmer Simone Manuel; breakout athlete, 16-year-old sprinter Quincy Wilson (who becomes the youngest Oympian); reigning World Champion sprinter Noah Lyles; and the comeback queen and World Champion Sha’Carri Richardson should also be credited for adding to the anticipation.
Ahead of the Olympics, Netflix released “Sprint,” a docu series that shows the competitive nature of sprinting and how superstars like the U.S.’ Fred Kerley, Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes and Italy’s Marcell Jacobs have a hard time staying at the top of their game. It also detailed the friendly rivalry with Jamaica’s top sprinters like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, who are also headed to Paris. With over 10,500 athletes competing in 19 days, new competitive sports like kayaking, skateboarding, and breaking have been added. You read right: break dancing – an urban dance style that originated in the United States in the 1970s, will debut this summer at the Olympics.
The Olympics website said, “With roots in hip-hop culture, breaking first took form in the lively block parties in the Bronx borough of New York, and is characterized by acrobatic movements, stylized footwork, and the key role played by the DJ and the MC (master of ceremonies) during battles. International competitions were first held in the 1990s, popularising the dance form among hip-hop communities and the general public.”
Also, with the help of social media, celebrities (Snoop Dog), and global “influencers” posting and appearing on what seems like every other television commercial, in addition to the affordability of tickets to attend the Olympics, the 2024 Olympic Games is a must-see TV.So, while the presidential election is heating up and the U.S. seems divided, Americans can root for their favorite athletes from July 26 to Aug. 11. This also provides a break from all the political rhetoric, high inflation, and natural disasters.
And we can’t forget our Dream Team – which was coined in 1992 and was the first time the men’s basketball team included NBA players.
The four-time defending Olympic gold-medal USA team will be the favorites again this summer but could face stiff competition from teams like Canada and France.LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard are among those playing for Team USA. Under coach Steve Kerr, this new Dream Team will looking for gold.
And while the NCAA’s darling Caitlin Clark, who’s now in the WNBA, won’t be playing on the women’s team this year, many of the women’s basketball players are no strangers to winning. The women’s team includes eight WNBA champions, three WNBA MVPs, and five WNBA Rookies of the Year. Some of the players are A’ja Wilson, Diana Taurasi, and Brittney Griner.
Go Team USA!
