The 2024 Olympics kicked off in Paris, France on July 26, with an estimated number of 10,500 participating athletes from 206 different countries.

Athletes from all around the United States came together to compete to prove they are the greatest at what they do.

“It shows that you’ve become the best in your country, in your discipline, which is something that is very special and obviously most of those guys are true athletes,” Elias Silver, junior, said.

This year, break dancing made its Olympic debut. The International Olympic Committee decided to add more well known games in hopes to engage all age groups. 

An abundance of well known celebrities, such as Shaun White, attended and brought attention to the games. White, a three-time olympic gold medalist in snowboarding, and his girlfriend Nina Dobrev, who is known for her popular role in “The Vampire Diaries”, watched team USA medal in skateboarding, artistic gymnastics and fencing. 

“Children watching these sports might grow to like them and it could foster the future Olympic champions. The attention can also bring more money to the sports so the athletes can be awarded fairly,” Sophia Velasquez, junior, said.

With 126 total medals brought home to the USA, many emotions were invoked for athletes and their audience. 

“To me it represents that even though the world is arguing, we can all come together and play sports, so it’s more of a unity thing,” Kai Armitage, junior, said.

Breaking down the final medal count, team USA ended with 40 gold, 44 silver and 42 bronze medals. Team USA track and field produced the highest medal count with 34 overall. 

“If I had the opportunity to do track in the Olympics I would definitely do it because of the recognition. It takes guts to run in front of millions and millions of people,” Jayden Baker, senior, said.

Stephen Nedoroscik, gymnast, was a member of the men’s artistic gymnastics team for one event, the Pommel Horse. In the Tokyo Olympic games in 2020, Nedoroscik became the first gymnast that represented America to receive gold on the Pommel Horse. 

“It’s a very hard sport, and people don’t understand how hard it really is and how much time and effort is put into it,” Isabella Kritchman, freshman, said.

This year, Nedoroscik received bronze for the Pommel Horse in the men’s category, ending his time in Paris with two medals. Tori Huske, swimmer, was the most decorated American athlete with a total of five medals earned in Paris this year. Huske earned three gold and two silver medals.

“The Olympics give so many people the platform to show what they have been training and working so hard for,” Serenity Arce, senior, said.