WE’RE NOW ONLY three weeks away from the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. As is the case every four years, the Olympics promise to be a spectacle of human athleticism, with record-breaking displays of skill, strength, speed, endurance and agility flooding our TV networks, social media feeds and conversation.
The pomp and ceremony of the Olympics is great, but at the centre of this takeover are the athletes competing, doing their countries proud and fulfilling lifelong dreams. After all, it’s the athletes’ achievements, their inspirational stories, and their unbelievable feats that we’ll remember when it’s all said and done.
More than 10,000 athletes will converge on Paris this month, and only a handful will return home as champions, but they will all forever be immortalised in Olympic history. We’re sure they all have an intriguing story to follow, but we can’t possibly keep up with them all – and neither can you. That’s why we’ve selected the cream of the crop: 24 athletes from nations around the world whose performances you won’t want to miss.
Kyle Chalmers
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Sport: Swimming
Country: Australia
Late last year, Kyle Chalmers told Men’s Health that “by the time Paris rolls around next year, I’ll be in the best shape I’ve ever been in.” Coming from someone who has already won an Olympic gold medal, that’s saying something. Chalmers heads to Paris for what could be his last shot at another gold medal. He’s only 26, but in swimming, you’re being handed your pension at that age. Plus, Chalmers recently revealed he’s suffering from a degenerative back issue. Does the alpha of the Australian swim team have one more gold medal in him? We think so.
Rafael Nadal
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Sport: Tennis
Country: Spain
In an ideal world, Rafael Nadal would cap off his legendary career with a second Olympic gold medal before riding off into the proverbial sunset. That scenario seems unlikely given his recent form, but perhaps a doubles partnership with his staggeringly talented compatriot Carlos Alcaraz could swing things in Nadal’s favour. Regardless, Nadal’s final Olympic campaign, on his favourite court of Roland Garros, will be must see TV.
Armand Duplantis
Sport: Athletics (Pole Vault)
Country: Sweden
There may not be a more dominant athlete in the world right now than Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis. The Swede sits atop World Athletics’ rankings of all track and field athletes, is the defending Olympic champion, a two-time world champion, a two-time world indoor champion and has won three consecutive Diamond League titles. He’s also only 24. Since setting the pole vault world record in 2020, Duplantis has surpassed his own record seven times – most recently in April of this year. We could see his world record tumble yet again in Paris.
Cam McEvoy
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Sport: Swimming
Country: Australia
Just three years ago, Cam McEvoy crashed out of the Tokyo Olympics in the heat stages, finishing 29th overall in the 50-metre freestyle, and 24th in the 100-metre freestyle. He’s since revitalised his career thanks to a revolutionary approach to training, and at 30, he’s the favourite to win the 50m freestyle for his first Olympic gold medal.
Kaylee McKeown
Sport: Swimming
Country: Australia
We don’t want to jinx it, but quietly, we think Kaylee McKeown will eventually go down as Australia’s most decorated Olympian of all time. Emma McKeon is the current all-time leader, with 11 medals total, five of them gold. At only her first Olympics, McKeown (mind the similar name) won four medals, three of them gold, and she’s likely to win as many in Paris. She’s also only 22 years old, so you do the math.
Noah Lyles
Sport: Athletics (Track)
Country: USA
Noah Lyles caused quite a stir last year when he poked the bear that is the NBA by criticising the league’s habit of labelling its title winners as world champions. “World champions of what?!?” Lyles opined, drawing the ire of many a basketball fan, but making a solid point. That incident alone would be enough for Lyles to command extra attention at this year’s Games, but the fact that the sprinter is the current 100m and 200m world champion means he’ll have a genuine shot at four gold medals in Paris, courtesy of the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. Needless to say, but were he to pull-off the quadrella, Lyles would be the Olympics’ biggest superstar since Usain Bolt.
Kishane Thompson
Sport: Athletics (Track)
Country: (Jamaica)
And now to the man who has the best chance of spoiling Lyles’ party. Kishane Thompson is only 22, but his blistering 100m personal best of 9.77 seconds is the fastest anyone has run in the last 24 months and, crucially, is faster than Lyles has ever run. Thompson also only ran that time two weeks ago – talk about peaking at the right time.
Ariarne Titmus
Sport: Swimming
Country: Australia
Ariarne Titmus was Australia’s golden girl of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, defeating Katie Ledecky – who was once thought invincible – in the 400m freestyle and blowing away her competition in the 200m. Now, Titmus is back to defend her crowns and will be favoured to do so, but her biggest competition may come from her own countrymen.
Mollie O’Callaghan
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Sport: Swimming
Country: Australia
She was only 17 years old when she won her first Olympic medals at the Tokyo Games as part of three separate relay teams, but now Mollie O’Callaghan is looking to stamp her name as one of the world’s best in a number of individual events. O’Callaghan would likely medal in up to four individual events in Paris: the 100m and 200m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 200m medley, but it’s unlikely she’ll participate in all four, instead choosing to save her energy for the events where she stands the best chance at securing gold.
Ellie Carpenter
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Sport: Football
Country: Australia
With Matildas captain Sam Kerr sidelined with an ACL injury, it’s time for Ellie Carpenter to step up as the face of Australia’s most popular national sporting team. Still only 24, Carpenter is off to her third Olympics and is arguably the best right back in women’s football. Her defensive acumen and leadership skills will be critical if the Matildas are to secure their first ever Olympic medal.
Jack Robinson
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Sport: Swimming
Country: Australia
Earlier this year, we listed off some of the surfers who had qualified for the 2024 Olympics to Jack Robinson – it’s a list that includes world champions like John John Florence, Gabriel Medina and Felipe Toledo. Robinson was unfazed. His response? “I’ve already shown I can win events and beat those guys.” Suffice to say, Robinson is confident he can win Australia’s first Olympic gold medal in surfing. He has reason to be, as the current world number three.
Ethan Ewing
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Sport: Surfing
Country: Australia
Like Robinson, Ethan Ewing is firmly entrenched towards the top of surfing’s world rankings. He’ll also be vying for gold at Teahupo’o. Just don’t get in each other’s way boys, as long as Australia gets the medal, we’ll be happy.
Molly Picklum
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Sport: Surfing
Country: Australia
Yes, Australia really does have world class surfers coming out of our ears. But should we be surprised? If there’s one sport Australia should be dominating, it’s surfing. Yet, the nation only came away from the sport’s debut at the Tokyo Games with a single bronze medal. Molly Picklum, the current world number four at just 21 years of age, will look to improve on that mark.
Eliud Kipchoge
Sport: Marathon
Country: Kenya
The king of the marathon and the first man to break two hours in the event, Eliud Kipchoge remains the world’s most respected long-distance athlete. After the tragic death of world record holder Kelvin Kiptum earlier this year, Kipchoge heads into Paris with the fastest marathon time of any living athlete. He’ll look to cement his legacy with a third consecutive Olympic gold medal next month.
Josh Giddey
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Sport: Basketball
Country: Australia
It was an up-and-down (mostly down) season for Josh Giddey in 2023/24, who made it to the NBA’s western conference semifinals with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but took a step back statistically. He’s since been traded to the Chicago Bulls, where he’ll look to make a fresh start, but before then, he’ll be handed the keys to the Australian men’s national basketball team in Paris.
Jess Fox
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Sport: Canoe Slalom
Country: Australia
Some sports have never ending debates over which athlete is the sport’s GOAT. Canoe slalom doesn’t have that issue, because it’s inarguably Jess Fox. The 30-year-old has so many world championships it isn’t funny and finally won her first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo after several heartbreaking near misses. She’ll now look to add to her tally in the country of her birth.
Sha’Carri Richardson
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Sport: Athletics (Track)
Country: USA
Since she was sensationally banned from competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for violating the IOC’s anti-drug policy, Sha’Carri Richardson has been on the mend. Now she’s the favourite to win the 100m sprint. Quite the comeback story.
Patty Mills
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Sport: Basketball
Country: Australia
Patty Mills has been the face of the Boomers for as long as many can remember, but his time is finally winding down. Everyone knows that ‘Olympic Patty’ is a whole different beast, but Mills has found a diminishing role in the NBA and will no longer be the centrepiece of the Boomers’ offence. Paris represents Mills’ last hurrah, we know he won’t treat it lightly.
Peter Bol
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Sport: Athletics (Track)
Country: Australia
Back in early 2023, Peter Bol nearly had his career derailed by an inconclusive drug test that saw him banned from competing. He’s since been vindicated, but his Olympic preparations have surely taken a hit. Whether Bol can replicate the success he found in the 800m at the Tokyo Games remains to be seen, but the fact that he’s even made it back to the track is a success story in itself.
LeBron James
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Sport: Basketball
Country: USA
At nearly 40 years old, we have to assume that this will be LeBron James’ last Olympics. Intent on going out on top, James has assembled an Avengers-level supporting cast to assist in his first Olympic campaign since 2012. USA basketball is always a pleasure to watch, the fact that this will likely be James’ last tournament with the team is simply the icing on the cake.
Alex de Minaur
Sport: Tennis
Country: Australia
2024 has been the best year of Alex de Minaur’s career. The 25-year-old has established himself as a constant presence in the ATP’s top ten (briefly peaking at 7th). He made the quarterfinals of the French Open and has started beating the world’s best tennis players. He now has a strong chance of winning an Olympic medal in Paris.
Cassiel Rousseau
Sport: Diving
Country: Australia
Australia isn’t exactly known for its divers – we’ve only produced two Olympic gold medallists in history, most recently in 2008 – but Cassiel Rousseau represents the nation’s best shot at gold since Mathew Mitcham. Rousseau is the reigning 10m platform world champion and will be the favourite to win the event in Paris.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen
Sport: Athletics (Track)
Country: Norway
The defending 1500m champion is facing heavy competition for his title. Jakob Ingebrigtsen was once expected to dominate his discipline for the foreseeable future, but the emergence of Scotsman Josh Kerr has cast some doubt over the Norwegian’s capabilities. Last month, Ingebrigtsen literally dove across the finish line to prevent Kerr from winning a race. Expect their rivalry to take centre stage.
Simone Biles
Sport: Gymnastics
Country: USA
Since taking an extended break from competition for mental health reasons, Simone Biles has returned with great success, proving she not only hasn’t missed a step, but may have actually come back stronger. Already regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, if Biles can win a few medals in Paris, she’ll also be the owner of one of the best comeback stories of all time and prove the power of the mental health break.
Related:
Everything you need to know about the 2024 Paris Olympics
This is who’s heading to Paris on the Australian Olympic team
