The Paris Olympics is over and it’s still a week or so before the Paralympics begins and global sports fever hits us again.
The 2024 games have provided many standout sporting highlights with thrilling comebacks, unexpected wins and uplifting camaraderie among competitors.
Guardian writers have shared their most memorable Paris Olympic moments and here readers from around the world recall some of theirs.
Tom Pidcock in the men’s cycling mountain bike: ‘Compelling viewing’
I live not far from Elancourt Hill, where the mountain bike race took place and watched it on Discovery/Max/Eurosport because it was not shown live on French TV. It was special because it was an exciting race thanks to an amazing tussle between Tom Pidcock and the French rider, Victor Koretzky.
Pidcock suffered a front wheel puncture but had enough time available to gradually work his way back through the field to challenge Koretzky. Both could have won the race and it was not until just before the end that Pidcock managed to poke his nose in front through an incredible piece of on-the-edge riding to steal the line. From there it was impossible for Koretzky to overtake Pidcock who finished strongly down the hill.
It was a brilliant and almost unbelievable denouement which showed Pidcock’s fighting spirit and determination. Compelling viewing. Andrew Whiting, 67, retired, lives in the Paris area
The women’s beach volleyball final between Brazil and Canada: ‘Suddenly all their scowls turned to laughs’
It was the third set of the women’s beach volleyball final, Brazil ahead after they and Canada had won a set each. It wasn’t clear why, but suddenly heated words were exchanged between all four players, either side of the net, for at least a minute. A referee tried to calm them and they ignored him.. Eventually, they separated and waited for respective yellow cards and the chief umpire’s word to resume the match. Suddenly all their scowls turned to laughs as the DJ played [John Lennon’s] Imagine, the entire crowd held hands, swayed left and right and sang along. Florian Fischer, 48, German teacher, London
Bryony Page in the women’s trampoline: ‘Wow’
I am non-sportive but the only sport I watch religiously, every year, is the Tour de France. I have only been tuning in to the Olympics because they happen to be taking place in Paris and Marseille. We were denied the final stage of the tour [which normally ends in Paris] this year because of the Olympics.
So it was pure serendipity that I tuned in when Bryony Page was preparing to do her warm-up for her magnificent arrow-like twists and rebounds. I know nothing about gymnastics or trampolining and am not at all patriotic. But my immediate response was: Wow, I had no idea that someone, not a member of the Cirque du Soleil, would ever be able to fly through the air so gracefully. And win gold! I couldn’t believe the human body was capable of such moves. Annette Millward, 78, retired modern languages teacher, London
Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowing to Rebeca Andrade at the women’s floor final medal ceremony: ‘Ultimate Olympic spirit’
The second and third place US gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowing to the Brazilian gold medallist Rebeca Andrade at the medal ceremony. The ultimate Olympic spirit. Derrick, Limbe, Cameroon
Kateřina Siniaková and Tomáš Macháč winning the mixed doubles tennis: ‘A romcom movie in waiting’
One of my favourite moments of the Olympics was in the mixed doubles tennis tournament and the winning couple Kateřina Siniaková and Tomáš Macháč, who had dated for several years but broke up just before the tournament started. This Czech pair played brilliantly and won the gold medal and celebrated with hugs and kisses, prompting many of us to wonder if this cute couple had been brought back together by Olympic gold?. Catherine O’Grady, 58, retired, Coventry
Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart at the dressage: ‘Spectacular’
Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart applauding a stunning dressage by a horse named Wendy. I mean … Snoop and Martha go see Isabell Werth and her horse Wendy dance – spectacular. JoDee, Wisconsin, US
Arshad Nadeem winning the men’s javelin throw: ‘An inspiration’
For me, Arshad Nadeem winning gold [in the men’s javelin throw] has been my favourite moment. The Olympics has arrived at a particularly downtrodden time here in Pakistan as we are struggling with inflation, poor economy, political divide, uncertainty and poor performance in cricket, which has been our favourite pasttime sport for decades.
Nadeem participating and reaching the finals, let alone winning a gold and having two 90m+ throws, despite his poor socioeconomic background and lack of resources is just an inspiration for the like of us who want to see this country grow.
Another reason is that I never thought I would be able to see someone from Pakistan exceeding other elite athletes – at last. Muhammad, 36, energy market researcher, Lahore, Pakistan
Kellie Harrington winning gold in the women’s 60kg boxing: ‘When she cried, I cried too’
The feverish anticipation for the result of a sports game has always been a mystery to me. That is until Ireland’s most likely winner of a gold medal in her second Olympic Games for boxing was competing Kellie Harrington.
I watched her two bouts prior to the final one and was acquiring a little of the fever that takes over spectators.
I experienced all the adrenaline of a devoted fan and was ecstatic when she won. When she cried as the Irish flag was raised and the national anthem played, I cried too with joy for her and our country. What a wonderful example she is for my two small granddaughters. Ireland is so proud of her. Brenda Carden, retired, Ireland
Sam Kendricks and Emmanouil Karalis supporting Armand Duplantis in the men’s pole vault: ‘They knew they were worlds apart from him’
My favourite moment of the Olympics was watching Sam Kendricks and Emmanouil Karalis encourage the audience to support Armand Duplantis in his world record attempt [in the men’s pole vault]. They knew they were worlds apart from him. Peter, 60, financial analyst, Munich, Germany
Femke Bol in the mixed 4x400m relay: ‘I felt exhilarated’
Although I’m a longtime fan of athletics, I only watch it every four years, and had only vaguely heard of Femke Bol. For her to take the baton in fourth place and then watch as she peeled off one runner after another to bring her team to a gold medal, was spectacular.
For me it was so special because she showed an absolutely incredible determination. She made the rest look like they were joggers. I felt exhilarated by her performance, and have watched again several times. Laura, 65, scientist, Frankfurt, Germany
Dan Evans and Andy Murray in the men’s doubles tennis: ‘The joy in participating in sport’
Dan Evans and Andy Murray jumping for joy when they won their second match in the men’s doubles tennis was a moment of extreme happiness for them. They achieved an unexpected win and it demonstrated to spectators the joy that one can have in participating in sport. Maighread, retired, London
Teddy Riner in the mixed team judo: ‘Made me feel a level of sporting ecstasy I haven’t felt in years’
The last two days of the judo competition were pure, unadulterated drama, but the highlight has to be Teddy Riner’s thunderous ippon (the highest score in judo) to take the gold in the mixed team final.
The knowledgable French crowd have been raucous all tournament but with King Teddy they showed a level of noise and passion you’ll struggle to find outside of a football match. Riner cemented himself as the judo GOAT and the fabulous rivalry between Japan and France had more fuel added to its fire.
He presented us with a moment of pure magic and made me feel a level of sporting ecstasy that I haven’t felt in years. Bravo, Teddy! Alistair, 31, film-maker, Orlando, Florida, US
Anthony Jeanjean in the men’s BMX freestyle: ‘Bloody fantastic entertainment’
I tuned into the Olympics coverage randomly and the men’s BMX freestyle was on. The adrenaline-fuelled flicks and tricks immediately grabbed my attention – Anthony Jeanjean’s second ride was breathtaking. It was bloody fantastic entertainment – he really whipped the home crowd into a frenzy.
I would normally only watch the more high-profile events like the 100m/ 200m, the diving or the gymnastics, so I was feeling serendipitous to have switched on the TV smack-bang in the middle of the BMX freestyle. I was open-mouthed at the daredevil moves of the riders. Fast, fun and full of frenetic energy. I loved it. Davina Rahman, local government complaints investigator, London
‘The affection and regard the athletes show for each other’
My favourite part of the Olympics is the affection and regard the athletes show for each other at the end of the individual events. They’re such intense competitors and so much is at stake. But they seem to have developed bonds that make most of them genuinely happy about their shared experiences. Edna, retired lawyer, Brooklyn, New York, US
