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Achievements and Controversies of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics

GOOVER DAILY REPORT August 17, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. Remarkable Athletic Achievements
  3. Controversies and Challenges
  4. Closing Ceremony Highlights
  5. Geopolitical and Sociocultural Impact
  6. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • The report titled 'Achievements and Controversies of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics' provides an in-depth look at the event, highlighting both its outstanding athletic milestones and the controversies that accompanied it. The primary focus is on the significant athletic achievements of various athletes, such as Zheng Qinwen securing China’s first Olympic gold in singles tennis, Katie Ledecky’s record-tying performance in swimming, and Simone Biles’s continued dominance in gymnastics. The report also details Team USA's leading medal tally and French swimmer Leon Marchand’s multiple victories. Beyond athletic prowess, it covers various challenges, including Nyjah Huston's complaints about medal quality, Rachael Gunn's controversial breakdancing performance, and ongoing issues of sexism and gender identity scrutiny faced by athletes like Imane Khelif. The closing ceremony's highlights and the broader geopolitical and sociocultural impact, such as Australia's record-breaking performance and the influence of Title IX on U.S. female athletes, are also discussed.

2. Remarkable Athletic Achievements

  • 2-1. China's first Olympic gold in singles tennis by Zheng Qinwen

  • Zheng Qinwen made history for China by winning the country’s first Olympic gold in singles tennis. She defeated Donna Vekic of Croatia with a score of 6-2, 6-3 in the final. This victory was particularly significant as it followed the previous success of Li Na, who had come close to winning an Olympic singles medal. Zheng's win marks a milestone for Chinese tennis, bringing immense pride to her home country.

  • 2-2. Katie Ledecky's record-tying performance

  • Katie Ledecky continued to establish her legacy as one of the greatest swimmers in history. She matched Michael Phelps by winning the same Olympic event, the women's 800 meters freestyle, in four consecutive Games. Ledecky's achievements included another gold medal in the 1500 meters freestyle, reinforcing her reputation with an Olympic record time of 15:30.02.

  • 2-3. Simone Biles' continued success in gymnastics

  • Simone Biles demonstrated her unparalleled skill and resilience by claiming her third gold medal of the Paris 2024 Games on the vault. This added to her already impressive career total, cementing her status as the greatest gymnast of all time. Biles showed exceptional performances across multiple apparatus, maintaining her dominance in the sport.

  • 2-4. Team USA's leading medal tally

  • Team USA led the medal tally with a remarkable total of 111 medals, including numerous noteworthy performances. Highlights included Sha’Carri Richardson winning her first gold in the women’s 4x100 meter relay and Rai Benjamin's triumph in the 400-meter hurdles. The team's success showcased the depth and talent across different disciplines.

  • 2-5. Leon Marchand's swimming triumphs

  • French swimmer Leon Marchand captivated the home crowd by winning multiple gold medals in swimming. His notable achievements included golds in the 400 Individual Medley, men's 200-meter butterfly, and an unprecedented win in both the 200-meter butterfly and breaststroke events. Marchand’s performances were central to France’s successes in the pool.

  • 2-6. Surprising wins and setbacks in various events

  • The 2024 Paris Olympics saw several surprising outcomes. Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia set a new benchmark by winning the women's 100 meters final, defeating strong contenders like Sha’Carri Richardson. In gymnastics, Rhys McClenaghan of Ireland won the country's first-ever medal in the men's pommel horse competition. These unexpected victories underlined the unpredictable nature of the Games.

3. Controversies and Challenges

  • 3-1. Nyjah Huston's Complaint about Medal Quality

  • American skateboarder Nyjah Huston, after winning his first-ever Olympic medal—a bronze in the men's street finals—complained about the medal's quality. Huston observed that the medal displayed significant wear and tear just days after winning it, showing signs like chipping and a rusty appearance. He expressed his dissatisfaction through social media, highlighting that the medal's quality did not meet his expectations. Huston, a celebrated skateboarder with six World Championships and 15 gold medals at the X Games, found the durability of the Olympic medal lacking compared to his other accolades.

  • 3-2. Rachael Gunn's Debated Performance in Breakdancing

  • Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun, stirred controversy during the Paris Olympics with her unconventional performance. Scoring zero points in all three of her battles, Gunn's unique and quirky style did not resonate well with many, leading to significant backlash and online trolling. Fellow athletes and commentators debated her moves, with some questioning if her selection to represent Australia was appropriate. Despite the criticism, Gunn continued to stand by her performance, emphasizing her choice to highlight authenticity over traditional athleticism in breakdancing.

  • 3-3. Ongoing Issues of Sexism at the Olympics

  • The Paris 2024 Olympics, though praised for achieving gender parity among participating athletes, continued to face issues of sexism. Instances included derogatory comments from commentators and unequal media portrayal of female athletes. For example, commentators were suspended for making sexist remarks, such as suggesting female swimmers were concerned about their makeup or using stereotypical cliches. Additionally, female athletes often faced patronizing commentary focusing on their appearance rather than their athletic prowess. These ongoing issues highlighted the deeply ingrained sexist attitudes that persist in sports.

  • 3-4. Gender Identity Scrutiny Faced by Imane Khelif

  • Algerian boxer Imane Khelif faced intense scrutiny and online abuse during the Paris Olympics due to misconceptions about her gender. Khelif, who was banned by the International Boxing Association (IBA) from competing the previous year due to elevated testosterone levels, encountered backlash despite her compliance with Olympic eligibility standards. Misrepresented as transgender or male by some public figures, Khelif's victories sparked a broader debate about gender identity in sports. Despite the controversy, Khelif advanced to the semifinals, demonstrating her resilience and determination amidst the adversity.

4. Closing Ceremony Highlights

  • 4-1. Spectacular Closing Ceremony Events

  • The closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics was a grand spectacle that brought together stars of sport, screen, and music. The ceremony, held at Stade de France, included noteworthy performances from celebrities like Tom Cruise, who descended from the roof of the stadium to collect the Olympic flag, before departing on a motorcycle as part of the handover to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games. Musical performances included acts by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre, who performed on a Los Angeles beach, marking the official transition to the next host city. The audience also enjoyed a dramatic performance featuring a character called the 'Golden Voyager,' which symbolized the rebirth of the Olympics. French singer Yseult concluded the event with a rendition of 'My Way.'

  • 4-2. The Handover to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games

  • The closing ceremony symbolically passed the Olympic flag from Paris to Los Angeles, the host of the 2028 Summer Olympics. This handover was highlighted by a performance where Tom Cruise carried the flag to Los Angeles through a series of stunts, including skydiving. The flag was officially handed over by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, to the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, in the presence of American gymnast Simone Biles. The handover segment also featured a performance of the U.S. national anthem by H.E.R. and celebrations by Michael Johnson, Kate Courtney, and skateboarder Jagger Eaton in iconic locations across Los Angeles, such as the Hollywood sign and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

  • 4-3. General Reflections and Key Messages from Officials

  • In his closing speech, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach described the Paris 2024 Games as 'sensational.' He praised the athletes for their exceptional performances and highlighted the significance of the games being the first delivered completely under the Olympic agenda reforms, focusing on youth, urban settings, inclusivity, and sustainability, with full gender parity. Thomas Bach emphasized the culture of peace created by the athletes living together in the Olympic Village and called for this spirit to be extended worldwide. Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet reflected on the support and passion of the spectators and volunteers, labeling the event as historic. The ceremony also included a record number of marriage proposals.

5. Geopolitical and Sociocultural Impact

  • 5-1. Australia's record-breaking performance and state contributions

  • Australia had an exceptional performance in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, breaking numerous records and securing a significant number of gold medals. The Australian Olympic team was notably diverse, with athletes hailing from various regions across the country. The state of New South Wales produced the largest portion of the team, continuing its trend of being the primary contributor to Australia's Olympic athletes. Queensland, however, shone particularly brightly this year, with 11 gold medalists hailing from the state. When adjusted for population, Tasmania emerged as the leader, thanks significantly to contributions from athletes like Ariarne Titmus. Notably, the Gold Coast/Tweed Heads area also stood out, producing around 30 athletes, which is one of the highest per capita representations among Australian cities. In addition, the Northern Territory continued its tradition of overperforming in terms of Olympic success, with half of its 24 Olympians securing medals.

  • 5-2. Diverse backgrounds and inspirational journeys of athletes

  • The athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics hailed from a multitude of diverse backgrounds, bringing a wealth of inspiring stories. Among these stories was that of Australian breakdancer Raygun, who, despite facing severe online criticism for her unconventional routine and attire, became a beloved figure within the Olympic village. Her teammates rallied around her, offering support and making efforts to uplift her spirits during the closing ceremony. This display of camaraderie and unity among Australian athletes highlighted the strong sense of community and mutual respect within the team.

  • 5-3. Title IX and its impact on U.S. female athletes

  • Title IX, a landmark U.S. federal law enacted in 1972, continued to play a significant role in promoting and ensuring gender equity in sports, profoundly affecting the performance of U.S. female athletes at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. The law mandates equal opportunities for women in sports, and its impact was evident in the dominance of U.S. women athletes, who collectively won 58 percent of the nation's medals. Notable performances included gold medals from Sha'Carri Richardson in the 4×100 meter relay, Rai Benjamin in the 400-meter hurdles, and Olivia Reeves in weightlifting, marking the first U.S. gold in this category since 2000. The continued success of U.S. women in the Olympics can be directly attributed to the opportunities and support provided by Title IX.

6. Conclusion

  • The 2024 Paris Olympics marked a significant event in sports history, demonstrating the exceptional talent and resilience of global athletes. It set several historical benchmarks, such as Zheng Qinwen’s pioneering gold in singles tennis for China and Katie Ledecky’s record-tying swimming achievements. The legacy of Simone Biles was further cemented with her continued success in gymnastics. Team USA's leading medal tally exemplified the depth of talent, while Leon Marchand's victories thrilled the home crowd. However, the Games were marred by controversies, from Nyjah Huston's concerns about medal quality to the polarizing performance of Rachael Gunn and ongoing sexism, indicating persistent challenges in the sports arena. Imane Khelif's gender identity scrutiny underscored the ongoing complexity surrounding inclusivity in sports. The vibrant closing ceremony symbolized the transition to the Los Angeles 2028 Games, celebrating unity and sporting excellence. Moving forward, there is an imperative to address these issues, ensuring greater inclusivity, respect, and sustainability. Investment in sports, as demonstrated by Australia, can yield extraordinary results, highlighting the importance of continued support and equitable practices in global athletics.

7. Glossary

  • 7-1. Zheng Qinwen [Person]

  • Chinese tennis player who won China’s first Olympic gold medal in singles tennis at the Paris 2024 Games.

  • 7-2. Katie Ledecky [Person]

  • American swimmer who matched a record with her fourth consecutive gold in the women’s 800m freestyle, achieving a total of eight Olympic gold medals.

  • 7-3. Simone Biles [Person]

  • American gymnast who secured her third gold medal at Paris 2024, continuing her legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts.

  • 7-4. Nyjah Huston [Person]

  • U.S. skateboarder who expressed dissatisfaction with his bronze medal's quality and highlighted the need for better medal craftsmanship.

  • 7-5. Rachael Gunn (Raygun) [Person]

  • Australian breakdancer whose performance in Paris zero points sparked controversy and discussions about her qualification and the sport's representation at the Olympics.

  • 7-6. Leon Marchand [Person]

  • French swimmer who made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning multiple gold medals, setting new records in the process.

  • 7-7. Imane Khelif [Person]

  • Algerian boxer who advanced to the semifinals amidst controversy regarding her gender identity, reflecting complex issues in sports.

  • 7-8. Title IX [Law/Legislation]

  • A U.S. law that prohibited gender discrimination in education and athletics, attributed to the dominance of U.S. female athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

8. Source Documents