From legends to rising stars, here are the top 10 athletes predicted to shine in Paris.
Viktor Alxelsen (badminton): The Danish player has won the world championship twice in 2017 and 2022. He has also participated in two Olympic Games with a record of 1 gold medal (GM) and 1 bronze medal (BM).
Simone Biles (gymnastics): She has won 7 Olympic medals before coming to Paris, equaling Shannon. With 30 medals (23 GM, 4 silver medals, and 3 BM), Biles is the most decorated gymnast in the history of the World Championships.
Sky Brown (skateboarding): At Tokyo 2020, at just 13 years old (born in 2008), she became the youngest British athlete to win an Olympic medal and the youngest athlete to do so in 80 years.
Marta da Silva (soccer): At 38, Marta is a legend of Brazilian women's soccer, with a record of scoring in 5 consecutive Olympic Games. She and the Brazilian women's team have won silver medals twice in 2004 and 2008.
Eliud Kipchoge (athletics): The Kenyan marathon runner has won 2 GM, 1 silver medal, and 1 BM in previous Olympic Games. He also achieved a marathon time of 2 hours 1 minute 9 seconds in Berlin in 2022.
Katie Ledecky (swimming): Before coming to Paris, this American swimmer had won 7 GM and 3 silver medals in the Olympics. Additionally, Ledecky holds world records in both the 800m and 1,500m freestyle events and has 21 world championship titles.
Noah Lyles (athletics): He has won 1 BM in the Olympics. Participating in the Olympic Paris 2024, this American athlete aims to change the color of his medal in the 100m and 200m events. His best times in these events are 9.81 seconds and 19.31 seconds, respectively.
Ma Long (table tennis): With 5 GM in the Olympics, Ma Long is a legend in the world of table tennis. He also holds the record for the longest time as the world's number one and has 14 individual and team world championship titles.
Rafael Nadal (tennis): The Spanish player holds the record for winning 14 French Open titles - the most titles won by a player in a Grand Slam - earning him the nickname "King of Clay." Additionally, Nadal has also won 2 GM in the Olympics. However, at the 2024 Olympics, he was early defeated by Djokovic.
Victor Wembanyama (basketball): At 20, the French athlete is an outstanding rookie in the 2024 NBA season. He is expected to shine on his home court.
