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The 2024 Paris Olympics was one for the books, having left us with some emotional moments as several athletes made their mark on the world stage.
The Paris 2024 Olympics was a spectacle filled with triumphs, heartbreaks, and unforgettable moments that left fans around the world both cheering and shedding tears.
From the tracks to the courts, athletes pushed the limits of human endurance and talent, creating memories and penning their names down in the history books. . Among the countless stories that emerged from these games, a few stood out as the most emotionally charged, reminding us why we love the Olympics.
In this article, Pulse Sports runs down a list of athletes that left us emotional at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tobi Amusan (Athletics) – Team Nigeria
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In truth, Tobi Amusan's journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics was one of the most anticipated by Nigerians, who pinned their hopes on the 27-year-old hurdler.
As a former world champion and a finalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Amusan was among the favorites to win gold in the women’s 100m hurdles.
However, the competition took a devastating turn when she finished third in her semi-final heat, missing out on an automatic qualification for the final.
The world-record holder ultimately ranked ninth overall, just outside the final eight, leaving millions of Nigerians heartbroken as their medal hopes were dashed.
Despite her disappointment, Amusan remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated athletes.
Although Paris did not bring the Olympic medal she sought, make no mistake - Amusan’s legacy as a trailblazer for Nigerian sports is already secure.
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz (Tennis) – Team Spain
In tennis, the Paris 2024 Olympics featured a poignant moment as Carlos Alcaraz teamed up with Rafael Nadal, a legend of the sport, in the doubles event.
Alcaraz, who was just a toddler when Nadal won his first French Open, played alongside his idol in what could be Nadal’s final Olympic appearance.
Although the pair only won two matches together, their collaboration on the court was nothing short of electrifying.
If this was indeed Nadal’s farewell to the Olympics, it was a fitting end to a storied career.
Alcaraz also competed in the singles event, where he faced an inspired Novak Djokovic in the final.
Despite his best efforts, Alcaraz had to settle for a silver medal.
His tearful post-match interview with Eurosport’s Alex Corretja highlighted the emotional toll of coming so close to gold, but it also endeared him to fans as a future star of the sport.
Cindy Ngamba (Boxing) – Refugee Olympic Team
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Cindy Ngamba made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by securing the first-ever medal for the Refugee Olympic Team.
Born in Cameroon, Ngamba moved to the UK at the age of 11 and discovered her passion for boxing, eventually winning three national titles across different divisions. Despite these accomplishments, Ngamba is still fighting for British citizenship.
Competing in the women’s 75kg boxing category, Ngamba’s journey to the podium was marked by resilience and determination.
Ngamba’s bronze medal in Paris was a momentous achievement, but it could have been even greater had a split-decision in the semi-final gone her way.
Julien Alfred (Athletics) – Team St. Lucia
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Before Paris 2024, the small Caribbean island of St. Lucia had never celebrated an Olympic medal.
That all changed when Julien Alfred shocked the entire planet by storming to victory in the women’s 100m final, securing the nation’s first-ever gold medal.
Alfred’s blistering time of 10.72 seconds not only earned her the title of Olympic champion but also solidified her place in history as a national hero.
Alfred’s triumph over American sprint sensation Sha'Carri Richardson in one of the most anticipated events of the Games was a defining moment for St. Lucia.
Her victory brought pride and joy to a nation of just 180,000 people and proved that even the smallest countries can produce world-class athletes.
Steph Curry (Basketball) – Team U.S.A
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American basketball superstar and NBA icon Steph Curry delivered one of the most memorable performances of the Paris 2024 Olympics during the men’s basketball final.
After USA Basketball was rattled by criticism from sprinter Noah Lyles, who questioned the legitimacy of their "world champion" status, Curry took it upon himself to lead his team to victory.
In a tense final against France, the United States held a narrow lead with just three minutes remaining.
That’s when the ‘baby-faced assassin’ widely regarded as the greatest shooter in the history of the sport took over, draining four clutch three-pointers to seal a 98-87 victory and secure the gold medal for Team USA.
Curry’s heroics not only silenced the critics but also reaffirmed his status as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Antoine Dupont (Rugby) – Team France
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Rugby sevens at the Paris 2024 Olympics provided one of the most thrilling contests of the Games, with France facing off against defending champions Fiji in the gold medal match.
The teams were locked in a 7-7 tie at halftime, but France had a secret weapon in their captain, Antoine Dupont.
Just 21 seconds into the second half, Dupont set up a try that broke the deadlock.
He then added two more tries of his own, leading France to a resounding 28-7 victory and securing the gold medal on home soil.
Dupont’s decision to pause his XV rugby career to pursue his Olympic dream paid off in spectacular fashion, making him a national hero in France.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Athletics) – Team U.S.A
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In one of the most anticipated races of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone shattered her own world record in the women’s 400m hurdles, delivering a performance that left spectators in awe.
The race was hyped as a showdown between McLaughlin-Levrone and Dutch star Femke Bol, but by the time they entered the back bend, it was clear that McLaughlin-Levrone was in a league of her own.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s dominant victory not only earned her the gold medal but also cemented her status as one of the greatest athletes of her generation.
Simone Biles (Gymnastics) – Team U.S.A
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Simone Biles returned to the Olympic stage at Paris 2024 with a mission to add to her already impressive collection of medals.
The American gymnast did just that, winning three more Olympic golds, including the women’s all-around title.
Biles, who had previously taken a break from competition to focus on her mental health, was back at her best in Paris, delivering performances that reminded everyone why she is considered the greatest of all time.
Biles also won a silver medal in the floor competition, bringing her total Olympic medal count to a staggering 10.
Leon Marchand (Swimming) – Team France
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Leon Marchand was one of the breakout stars of the Paris 2024 Olympics, winning four gold medals and setting four Olympic records in the process.
The 22-year-old French swimmer captivated the nation with his performances in the pool, including a historic butterfly-breaststroke combo on the same night.
Marchand’s success in Paris catapulted him to stardom, and he became a national hero almost overnight.
His achievements were so impressive that even the athletes at the Stade de France, some 10 miles away, were caught up in the excitement, delaying their events to follow Marchand’s races on their smartphones.
Novak Djokovic (Tennis) – Team Serbia
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Novak Djokovic’s victory in the men’s singles tennis competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics was the culmination of a career-long quest.
The Serbian superstar had already won every major title in tennis, but an Olympic gold medal had eluded him until now.
In the final, the world no.1 on the ATP rankings, faced off against Carlos Alcaraz, defeating the young Spaniard to finally claim the Olympic gold he had long desired.
With this victory, Djokovic completed the "Career Golden Slam," becoming one of the few players in history to win all four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal.
Djokovic’s triumph in Paris solidified his legacy as arguably the greatest tennis player of all time, and his emotional celebration on the court was a fitting end to a historic tournament.
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