My top 2024 Summer game moments
The Olympics are a remarkable display of human achievement and athleticism. Unfortunately, discussing them can sometimes feel like navigating a minefield of differing opinions. It seems everything nowadays can become contentious, distracting us from the incredible stories of dedication and triumph that define the athletes' journeys. When did we start overlooking the athletes who dedicate their lives to compete and showcase the results of their hard work? As an athlete, I have found watching the Olympics to be even more inspiring as I get older. I am inspired by the young athletes who have much more discipline than I ever had in my teens and 20’s. The athletes in their 30’s and beyond are equally as inspiring as they have asked a lot of their bodies over their career and continue to perform at such a high level. These people are absolutely awe inspiring, so I want to take some time to highlight (in no particular order!) my personal favorite and inspiring moments!
As a disclaimer, I have watched mostly the track events as Eric was a collegiate track athlete and he is OBSESSED with watching these events. I know there are probably even more inspiring stories in other athletics that I didn’t see and am excited to hear more stories trickle out!
My Top 10 Athlete Moments of the 2024 Olympics
Simon Biles (USA) - Gymnastics
Simon Biles returned to the 2024 Summer Games after grappling with mental health challenges that led to her decision to not compete in the 2020 Summer Games (which were delayed to 2021). Biles performed flawlessly, helping Team USA win Gold and inspiring discussions about mental health and the important of taking time for yourself.
2. Noah Lyles (USA) - Sprinter
Noah Lyles won gold in the 100m sprint by a literal hair! I can’t get over how amazing watching these athletes push to the finish has been. It is absolute grit and the definition of digging deep. After the race, he posted the above inspiring message about the health challenges he deals with that don’t define him or what he is able to accomplish. I see it every day. Your mindset about your health can be all the difference in how much your symptoms impact your life. Speaking on mindset, did you catch this video of Noah thanking God BEFORE his race? I couldn’t say it better if I tried, so I will quote the person posting this video: “The moral of the story, when everything is on the line, and your anxiety is at an all time high, thank God in advance of the blessing, then watch the blessing come true”.
3. Grant Fisher (USA) - 10k
I had to have a Michigander on my list! Eric and I watched Grant Fisher run what appeared to be the smoothest 10K during the Olympic Trials earlier this summer. It was exciting to see this Grand Blanc, MI native (born in Canada) compete during the Olympics and capture the bronze medal in this event.
4. Winfred Yavi (Bahrain) - The Emotional Finish of the Women’s Steeplechase
Watching this race, I was very confused. What is the deal with the hurdles and the big puddle the racers run through? The history of the Steeplechase is interesting and worth a read to know why they seemingly strange aspects of the race are included! These obstacles do provide a challenge and can definitely shake up the results of the race.
The women’s Steeplechase had a surprising and emotional finish when Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi took the lead in the last moments of the race from Uganda's Peruth Chemutai who seemed to be the sure winner. The emotion of this finish is what struck me. The polarization of the extreme grief of Chemutai losing the Gold vs Yavi’s extreme elation of winning Gold.
5. Kenneth Rooks (USA) - Men’s Steeplechase
As noted above, the Steeplechase was a race I was not familiar with until doing a mini dive into its history while watching the women’s race. The challenges of the obstacles in this race can certainly shake things up, as seen in the men’s Steeplechase when Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma tumbled over a hurdle on the final lap and was subsequently carried off the track on a stretcher. Watching the race, it was clear that Kenneth Rooks, who has cleared that obstacle before the fall, was well on his way to the lead having been on the back of the pack for the majority of the race. This athlete had seemingly come out of nowhere and finished with the silver medal in this event.
6. Cole Hocker (USA) - 1500M Finish
The finish of the 1500M was made even more exciting by the personal connection that my husband has to some of the American runners who are coached by a friend of his. Cole Hocker’s unexpected push at the end to win Gold was incredible! This was the first time that two Americans have medaled since 1912 with Cole Hocker grabbing Gold and Yared Nuguse seizing Bronze! I also really enjoyed the Brit, Josh Kerr, who always wears sunglasses saying “When the glasses go on, its game time.”
7. Stephen Nedoroscik (USA) - Pommel Horse
Known as the “Clark Kent” of the Olympics, gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik has an eye condition called strabismus and coloboma which causes the eyes to not move or focus properly. You’d think that would be a key aspect of being a gymnast, but it is a testament to how when one sensory aspect of the body is weak, other sensations are stronger! Regardless of this condition, Nedoroscik helped his team to bring home Bronze in the Pommel Horse.
8. Kristen Faulkner (USA) - Road Cycling Race
This amazing female athlete started in cycling in 2017 as a way to get outside and blow off steam while working in venture capital in New York City. In 2020, she participated in a women’s cycling clinic and then in 2021, she quit her day job to pursue competition full time. Her hard work has paid off, especially after an injury last summer when she was hit by a car riding and fractured her shin. She came back strong to win Gold in Paris!
9. Gabby Thomas (USA) - Sprinter
Gabby Thomas came to Paris and won Gold in the 200M sprint and also set a new world record. That is amazing in itself, but outside of running, this woman has a lot going on! She has said that she “runs track part time” as she fills the rest of her time graduating from Harvard with a bachelor’s degree in neurobiology and then getting a master’s degree in public health. NBD.
Kenny Bednarek (USA) - Sprinter
Kenny Bednarek gave his adoptive mom a run for her money while growing up. He was quoted as saying “Me and my mom’s relationship got better by the time I was about a senior.” In an effort to focus his high energy, Kenny (known as Kung-Fu Kenny because of the headband he wears) was promptly put into sports as a first grader to help calm his body and mind. In Paris, he cinched Silver in the 200M sprint.