Highlights of the 2024 Olympics: Biles, Richardson, Ledecky, and More

Excitement Builds for Biles at the 2024 Olympics

Simone Biles is set to be a key highlight of the 2024 Olympics on Saturday as she aims to secure her third gold medal in the vault event in Paris. After her stunning victories in the individual all-around and contributing to the U.S. team’s dominance in the team all-around, Biles is looking to further elevate her already illustrious legacy. She is once again among the frontrunners but will face fierce competition from Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, the reigning Olympic champion in the vault.

Can Sha’Carri Richardson Achieve Olympic Glory?

Sha’Carri Richardson, who missed the Tokyo Games due to a positive marijuana test at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, is ready to seize her opportunity to win a medal in the women’s 100 meters. Richardson enters the race as the reigning world champion, and the field could include the legendary three-time Olympic gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce from Jamaica. Notably, Tokyo gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah is absent from the Paris Games due to injury, and fellow Jamaican Shericka Jackson has also opted out of this event.

Katie Ledecky Eyes Another Gold Medal

If Katie Ledecky triumphs in the women’s 800-meter freestyle, she will join the ranks of fellow American swimming icon Michael Phelps as the only swimmer—regardless of gender or nationality—to win four gold medals in the same event. Ledecky is widely regarded as the overwhelming favorite, holding the world record in this distance with an impressive time of 8:04.79.

Controversy in Women’s Boxing

In the women’s boxing quarterfinals, Anna Luca Hamori from Hungary will face Imane Khelif of Algeria. The Hungarian Boxing Association has expressed its discontent by sending letters of protest to both the International Olympic Committee and Hungary’s Olympic committee. This controversy stems from the disqualification of Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting from the 2023 World Championships after they had already competed. The International Boxing Association (IBA) ruled that both athletes failed unspecified gender eligibility tests but did not provide any documentation to support this decision. Both boxers had participated in IBA events for several years without issue.

Khelif’s first opponent in Paris, Angela Carini from Italy, withdrew from their bout just 46 seconds in, sparking significant media coverage due to her emotional reaction. Despite the turmoil, Olympic authorities have defended Khelif’s participation, stating that she “was born female, was registered female, lived her life as a female, boxed as a female, and holds a female passport.”

Women’s Football Quarterfinals

The U.S. women’s football team is set to take on Japan in the quarterfinals. The Americans achieved a remarkable feat by winning all three of their group-stage games for the first time since 2012, finishing at the top of Group B. Japan, the silver medalists from the 2012 Olympics, topped Group C. The U.S. previously claimed gold in 2012.

• In other women’s quarterfinal matches, France will clash with Brazil.
• Spain will compete against Colombia.
• Canada is set to face Germany.

Canada managed to advance from group play despite being penalized six standings points due to a drone spying scandal that has cast a shadow over their program.

U.S. Men’s Basketball on the Court

The United States men’s basketball team aims to secure their third consecutive victory as they prepare to face a winless Puerto Rico. This matchup will mark the final group-stage game for the U.S., which is vying for the top seed heading into the knockout rounds.

Women’s Tennis Finals: A Historic Opportunity

The women’s singles final promises to be a thrilling contest as either China or Croatia will clinch their first-ever singles gold medal in Olympic tennis. Zheng Qinwen will go head-to-head with Donna Vekic in what is poised to be a pivotal match for both players, neither of whom has yet won a Grand Slam title.