BTN News: The 2024 Paris Olympics will start with a big show on the River Seine this Friday. This event is the biggest sports event in the world. It was delayed because of COVID-19. The Tokyo 2020 Games happened in 2021. Now, almost 10,500 athletes will compete, including a team for refugees. Some of these athletes are the stars of the event. Like Nadia Comaneci and Michael Phelps who made history, Paris 2024 has athletes who might become legends. Here are seven athletes who could make history in Paris.
Simone Biles (USA)
Simone Biles was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1997. She is one of the best gymnasts ever. She has won seven Olympic medals, including four golds. Biles is famous for doing moves that seemed impossible. Four gymnastics moves are named after her. In Tokyo 2020, she had some problems and did not compete in many events. But in Paris, she hopes to win more gold medals. She could be the first woman to win five gold medals in one Olympics for gymnastics. The Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina has nine gold medals but never won more than four in one Olympics.
Mijaín López (Cuba)
Mijaín López is a famous Cuban wrestler. He is 41 years old and weighs 130 kilos. He will be in his sixth Olympics. López has won four gold medals in a row in his sport. Only five other athletes have done this. His first gold was in Beijing 2008 and his latest was in Tokyo 2020. He is known as the “Giant of Herradura.” López plans to retire after the Paris Games. If he wins another gold, he will be the first wrestler to win five Olympic golds. He will also be the first Latin American to do this in any sport.
Faith Kipyegon (Kenya)
Faith Kipyegon is the best runner in the 1,500 meters. She started running barefoot in Kenya. She quickly became a champion in her country. Kipyegon won her first Olympic gold in Rio 2016 and another in Tokyo 2020. In 2023, she broke three world records. She set new records for the 1,500 meters, the mile, and the 5,000 meters. Now, at 30 years old, she wants to win her third gold in the 1,500 meters. No woman has ever done this before.
Noah Lyles (USA)
The 100-meter race is the highlight of the Olympics. It lasts less than 10 seconds but is very exciting. Noah Lyles is the world champion in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100 meters relay. He wants to become the fastest man ever in Paris. He is favored to win gold in all three events. Usain Bolt was the last man to win all three at the 2015 World Championships.
Mariana Pajón (Colombia)
Mariana Pajón is a top BMX cyclist from Colombia. She is known as the “Queen of BMX.” She won two gold medals in a row at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games. She was the first Latin American woman to do this in individual sports. Pajón almost won a third gold in Tokyo 2020 but came second. She aims to win her third gold in Paris and make history.
Teddy Riner (France)
Teddy Riner is a famous French judoka. He is a legend in judo, like Michael Jordan in basketball or Pelé in soccer. Riner is 36 years old and has won eleven world championships. He also has three Olympic gold medals. Two are individual, and one is for the team event. He won bronze in Tokyo 2020. Riner wants to win a third gold in his home country at the Paris Games.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica)
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is a top sprinter from Jamaica. She has been the fastest woman for many years. She won gold in the 100 meters in London 2012 and Rio 2016. She also won gold in the 4×100 meters relay in Tokyo 2020. Even though she is older now, she won bronze in the 100 meters at the 2023 World Championships. She wants to win a third gold in the 100 meters in Paris. No woman has done this before.
These athletes have amazing skills and past successes. They are ready to make more history at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The world will be watching as they try to become legends and inspire future athletes.
