With the conclusion of the 2024 Paris Olympics, I thought it would be fitting to post about some of the sports that I was introduced to. With 32 total options, and at least 5 different events happening at any given time, I’ve reflected on what really stood out and left me wanting more. This is what I came up with!
- Beach Volleyball
The first beach volleyball match I watched was between the US’s Kloth & Nuss and Canada’s Bansley & Bukovec. What really grabbed my attention was the dynamic partnership between Nuss, at 5 feet 6 inches (one of the shortest in the sport), and Kloth, standing at 6 feet 4 inches. Despite the height difference, they worked in perfect sync. Nuss’s agility, combined with Kloth’s power at the net, created a balance that made them an incredibly powerful team. Watching them cover the court with lightning-quick reflexes and recover seemingly impossible shots made the sport exhilarating. While I stopped watching after Kloth & Nuss’s elimination in the Round of 16, I can see myself revisiting this sport again—maybe I’ll even watch wheelchair volleyball in the Paralympics in a few weeks!
- Rhythmic Gymnastics
Towards the end of the Olympics, I tuned in to team rhythmic gymnastics. At first, it seemed chaotic with the simultaneous handling of multiple apparatuses—ribbons and balls—but as I watched, I began to appreciate the artistry and coordination involved in keeping the team running like a well-oiled machine. Every toss, catch, and flick of the ribbon had to be so incredibly precise—often a blind throw that seemed to effortlessly reach a teammate, even though we all know the hours of practice behind the scenes. I found the event combined gymnastics, dance (not only in the moves but also in the musical choices), and elements from synchronized events to create a mesmerizing performance.
- Diving
I kept coming back to diving throughout the Olympics. With events spread over several days, I had plenty of opportunities to get drawn in. Although I still don’t fully understand how the scoring works, there’s something fascinating about the way divers combine raw power with elegance. They launch themselves into the air, perform intricate spins and twists, and somehow slip into the water with barely a ripple. Synchronized diving, in particular, blew me away—the perfection of two athletes executing identical, complex moves in unison is stunning to watch.
- Handball
Though I only caught a couple of handball games, I found it to be one of the most intriguing sports, as it combined many sports I already know and enjoy: basketball, soccer, and rugby, all packed into one action-filled game. The rules were a mystery to me at first, but what really drew me in was the sheer intensity of the sport, as no lead ever felt secure. For example, in the first game I watched, Egypt’s substitute goalkeeper put on a stellar second-half performance, almost closing a 10-point deficit. Games like this are always fun to watch because they keep you on the edge of your seat.
With that, goodbye Paris 2024 and I look forward to Los Angeles 2028! With LA 28 seeing the removal of breakdancing and the addition of new sports such as baseball, softball, flag-football, lacrosse, squash, and cricket, I foresee even more fun very shortly. What were your thoughts on this Olympics and what do you look forward to in LA 28?
