Lumières sur Paris – An Olympic Retrospective

The Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, Paris 2024, officially closed on Sunday, August 11, bringing an end to a magical two-and-a-half weeks filled with athletic prowess, international friendship, and historic achievements.

These Olympics were significant for France, which previously hosted the Games in Paris in 1900 and 1924, and paid tribute to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the educator who revived the modern Games to emphasize their social value for youth.

The original Olympic motto Citius, Altius, Fortius—Faster, Higher, Stronger—has inspired generations of athletes, and for these Games, it was revitalized with the addition of the word "Together," reflecting the unifying power of sport.?

From the outset, Paris 2024 captured global attention with over 200 countries participating, unprecedented television and digital audiences, and the return of fans—a joyful change from the spectator restrictions of Tokyo 2020.?

Canada sent 337 athletes and earned 27 medals—featuring anticipated victories, record-breaking triumphs, and unexpected wins—surpassing its previous non-boycotted Games record of 24 and finishing 12th in the overall medal standings.

We should take pride in our strong performance, yet it is essential to recognize that securing increased federal funding and fostering grassroots sports participation will be crucial for future Olympic success.?

Controversies, Scandals, and Operational Challenges?

As with previous Olympics, Paris 2024 dealt with controversy, beginning with 23 Chinese swimmers testing positive for trace amounts of the banned drug TMZ, igniting a firestorm between World and US anti-doping agencies, and prompting Michael Phelps to call for tougher sanctions.

Women’s boxing gold-medalists Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan experienced intense scrutiny and gender backlash following their disqualifications by the International Boxing Association (IBA) during last year’s world championships because of alleged eligibility test failures. The IBA, which has been barred from the Olympics since before Tokyo have struggled to justify their decision.

Scandals extended to soccer as well, with Canada’s women’s team, the reigning Olympic champions, found guilty of using a drone to spy on their opponents, New Zealand, resulting in the removal of two coaching staff members, a suspension for head coach Bev Priestman, and a six-point deduction. Despite these setbacks, Canada finished the group stage undefeated but was eliminated by Germany in the quarterfinals.?

In gymnastics, the Games made history with Rebeca Andrade, Simone Biles, and Jordan Chiles forming the first all-Black podium. Chiles bronze medal was later rescinded after her appeal of the scoring was deemed invalid by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)/Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The US petition, though made in good faith, led to hurtful and racist attacks on Chiles.

Logistical issues also marred the Games, as transportation challenges and cardboard beds in the Athletes Village drew criticism, while concerns over the Seine River’s water quality resulted in canceled training sessions, delays, and ongoing debates over balancing environmental goals with practical needs.

24 Defining Moments from the Games?

Even with these questions, Paris 2024 delivered its share of signature moments. Here are twenty-four—one for each hour of the day—that captured the imagination and spirit of the Games:

• Palestine sent a delegation of eight athletes to compete in athletics, boxing, judo, shooting, swimming, and taekwondo. Embodying a message of peace and unity, this was the largest team of Palestinian athletes assembled to participate in the Summer Olympics.
• 17-year-old Summer McIntosh from Toronto won a silver and three gold medals, becoming the first Canadian to earn three golds in a single Olympic Games and, in the process, announced her arrival as a global superstar in the world of swimming. France’s golden boy, Leon Marchand, topped the swimming podium four times.

• Hamilton-born fencer Eleanor Harvey made history by winning the country's first-ever bronze medal in women's foil fencing. Her achievement not only spotlighted her individual skill but also raised the profile of fencing in Canada.
• Japanese-Canadian, Christa Deguchi, clinched Canada’s first gold medal at Paris 2024 in women's judo. The victory also marked the first Olympic gold medal for Canada in the sport, a historic milestone for Canada’s most decorated female judoka.
• Josh Liendo made history as the first Black Canadian swimmer to win an Olympic medal, earning a silver in the 100m butterfly. His accomplishment not only highlighted his outstanding performance but also the growing diversity in Canadian sports.?
• Julien Alfred of St. Lucia sprinted to the gold in the 100m, securing the island nation’s first-ever Olympic medal. Her victory earned her the title of "World’s Fastest Woman," a crowning moment for a country with a population of just 180,000 people.
• Twenty-four-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz on the red clay of Roland Garros to earn a long-awaited Olympic title and complete the career "Golden Slam," becoming just the fifth tennis player to achieve this feat.
• Simone Biles reclaimed Olympic glory by winning gold in the women's gymnastics all-around, securing the most medals for an American gymnast and celebrating the diversity of the sport on the world stage.
• Cameroonian boxer Cindy Ngamba, competing for the Refugee Olympic Team, became the team’s first-ever medalist since their inception at Rio 2016. Her bronze symbolized hope and resilience, shining a light on the strength and determination of refugees worldwide.?
• Camryn Rogers made history as the first Canadian woman and the first Black Canadian to win an Olympic gold medal in the hammer throw. On the men’s side, her teammate Ethan Katzberg became the youngest Olympic gold medalist in the same event, putting an exclamation mark on Canada’s burgeoning throwing talent.
• On his final jump of the evening, Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis set a men's world record by clearing 6.25m to win gold, while Canadian Alysha Newman set a national record to earn bronze, marking Canada’s first-ever medal in women’s pole vault.?
• After setting a European record in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase final, French runner Alice Finot sprinted to the stands to propose to her boyfriend. Although her fourth-place finish denied her a medal—love triumphed—one of a record-setting 25 marriage proposals made by athletes during the Games.
• In addition to her electrifying speed, triple-gold medalist Gabby Thomas boasts a Harvard degree and a master’s in public health from the University of Texas. Off the track, she dedicates her time to volunteering at a clinic for people without medical insurance.
• Cuban wrestler Mijain Lopez retired at the pinnacle of his career with an unprecedented feat. The 41-year-old became the first athlete to win Olympic gold in the same event at five consecutive Games, cementing his legendary status.?
• Canada’s female flag-bearer, weightlifter Maude Charron, who won gold in the women’s 64-kilogram class at Tokyo 2020, followed up her Olympic debut by capturing a silver medal in the women’s 59-kilogram event.
• After losing his mom earlier this year, 21-year-old Letsile Tebogo delivered a stunning upset in the men’s 200m, winning Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, setting a continental record, and becoming the first African man to claim the 200m title.?
• Canada’s 4x100m relay team, led by Andre De Grasse and featuring Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, and Brendon Rodney, shocked the work to win gold. De Grasse’s seven medals now tie him with Penny Oleksiak as Canada’s most decorated Olympian. The victory also marked Brown’s redemption following his disqualification in the 100m heats after a false start.
• From running barefoot to global icon, Kenya's Faith Kipyegon extended her historic unbeaten streak by becoming the first woman to win three successive 1,500m gold medals, delivering a scintillating performance and a new Olympic record.
• Melissa Human-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson, former teammates at York University, joined forces in Paris to win silver in women’s beach volleyball, the best result in Canadian beach volleyball history—men or women—and the first medal for the women’s program.
• In front of his family, Canadian Phil Kim, known as B-Boy Phil Wizard, clinched the inaugural Olympic gold medal in men’s breaking with a decisive final round victory in his battle with hometown star Dany Dann, proving that “nobody beats the Wiz.”?
• Female runners took center stage as the women's marathon replaced the men's marathon as the final event of the Olympics—a pivotal moment for gender equity in a Games that also featured mixed-gender events.

A Celebration of Unity, Diversity, and Human Potential

As the Olympic torch is extinguished and the athletes return home, Paris 2024 will be remembered not only for its athleticism but also for its celebration of love, kindness, and tolerance, reaffirming the Olympic Movement’s mission of harmony through sport.?

From the opening to the closing ceremony, the Games demonstrated a profound commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the values of liberty, equality, fraternity, and sisterhood prominently displayed by both organizers and athletes, underscoring a collective dedication to these principles.?

Many initiatives were implemented to uphold this promise and establish a new standard, including full gender parity, support for LGBTQ+ communities, improved accessibility for people with disabilities, childcare services, inclusion of refugees, community engagement and legacy programs, as well as economic opportunities and job creation.?

This dedicated focus on participation, leadership, safe sport, and representation fostered an environment where all athletes are recognized and empowered, ensuring every participant has equal opportunities to excel and contribute to the Games.?

Embodying the height of human potential, the sports arena showcased extraordinary achievements and heartwarming stories of athletes overcoming incredible odds, embodying the Olympic spirit through the relentless pursuit of excellence, the triumph of the human spirit, and the power of unity.?

For nineteen days, the world gathered in what many have called a renaissance, with the spirit of the Games illuminating our universal ideals and demonstrating the possibilities that emerge when we come together.?

To commemorate the sentiment, the Olympic bell, rung by champions, will be installed in Notre-Dame Cathedral, signifying a new chapter in the city's storied history.

Reflecting on Paris 2024, the impact of the Games will resonate far beyond the final medal ceremony, inspiring future generations to chase their dreams regardless of scale and embrace the values of our global community.