
The world is gearing up for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, which starts in just four days, with the opening ceremony falling on Friday, July 26th.
From seasoned champions to brand new athletes, all are looking to leave their mark in Olympic history.
Here are some of the standout athletes to keep an eye on:
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Simone Biles - Gymnastics (USA)
Simone Biles is arguably one of the best gymnasts of all time. She has 4 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals from her previous two Olympic championships, and if she can add one more, she will become the most decorated US female athlete of all time.
Biles has five moves that bear her name in the sport and is looking for a comeback after she pulled out of multiple events in Tokyo 2020, including the women's all-around final, due to mental struggles.
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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price - Athletics (Jamacia)
He is widely regarded as one of the best sprinters of all time. Fraser-Price is a current three-time gold medalist and experienced athlete aged 37.
She broke records last year, becoming the first woman to run a time under 10.7 seconds six times within one season, and is getting close to the world record.
She will have tough competition in Paris and has recently pulled out of the 100 m in Luzern after feeling 'discomfort' in warm-up, but she will be one to watch.
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LeBron James - Basketball (USA)
A world-famous basketball player with four NBA championships and two Olympic gold medals LeBron James is always one to watch.
James made his Olympic debut in 2004, helping the team to a bronze, aged just 19. He has been named NBA MVP four times, and in 2023, he was the top scorer.
The 39-year-old has also been unveiled as a flag bearer for the United States delegation at the opening ceremony.
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Steph Curry - Basketball (USA)
The American point guard is another member of the USA national basketball team and will also help lead the team to success.
Curry was impressive in their last game before the competition and was a standout player to dismantle their biggest rival, Serbia.
He has won four NBA championships himself and will need to work with James to secure the gold.
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Tadej Pogacar - Cycling (Slovenia)
Pogacar has an impressive record with three Tours de France wins, the 2024 Giro d'Italia, and six one-day Monuments.
He currently rides for UCI World Team UAE Team Emerites but will represent Slovenia in the road racing championships.
Looking untouchable at the minuete Pogacar is on for the best cycling season in history, only needing to add an Olympic gold and a World Championship win.
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Phoebe Gill - Athletics (Great Britain)
The 17-year-old is an unexpected addition to the GB athletics team; however, the young runner was impressive in the national championships, clenching the 800-metre title.
Gill smashed the competition, setting a new 800-metre age group world record with a time of 1:57.86.
Looking to the Olympics, she said, “The hard bit is over. There's no expectation. I'm 17 coming into the Games. It's my first time with a GB vest; I just can't wait to experience it all."
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Anotoine Dupont - Rugby (France)
French professional scrum-half Dupont was previously ranked world number one for his skills and expertise.
He is the captain of the French national team and plays for top-14 club Toulouse. He is also the winner of three six-nation player of the championships, the most of any French player in history.
Dupont will aim to lead the rugby sevens team to victory on home soil after skipping this year's six nations to train for the Olympics.
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Sky Brown - Skateboarding (Great Britain)
The young athlete made her debut in Tokyo at the age of 13, winning a bronze medal in the skateboarding event.
The skateboarding prodigy has recently overcome a ligament tear in her knee, which prevented her from competing in the first Olympic qualifier series, however, she competed in the final, placing second.
She is also the first reserve for the GB surfing team, but she will aim for gold in Paris.
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Carlos Alcaraz - Tennis (Spain)
Alcatraz will come to Paris fresh from his grand slam at Wimbeldon; he will be the one to beat, carrying 15 titles.
He will have some tough competition for the gold, with the likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic eyeing up the title.
Spain will have two chances of winning gold in men's tennis, with Alcaraz and Nadal pairing up in men's doubles.
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Caeleb Dressell - Swimming (USA)
The American swimmer specialises in freestyle, butterfly, and individual medely events and has won Olympic gold seven times.
Dressell has set five world records, including the team relay, and won five of his golds at Tokyo 2020. He is dubbed the new Michael Phelps.
He is on a comeback after stepping away from the World Championships in 2023, as the 26-year-old was overwhelmed by pressure and stress, calling the sport "brutal".
Explore more stats, standings and news on VAVEL Data: Simone Biles · Carlos Alcaraz

