The Guardian’s Unforgettable Moments from the Paris Olympics

Best moment: Julien Alfred winning the women’s 100m, marking St Lucia’s first medal in any Olympics. A thrilling yet nerve-wracking race that left the crowd and commentators in awe.

Biggest disappointment: The controversial stance on sensitive issues in women’s boxing was quite polarizing and at times overly heavy-handed.

Star of the Games: Paris itself shone brightly, with its enchanting beauty and welcoming charm.

Crowd-pleaser: The triathlon captivated audiences, with even the Seine’s notorious pollution failing to dampen the spirits. The efforts to clean up the river ahead of the games were commendable.

One to watch for LA 2028: Skateboarding is expected to be a standout event in LA, promising exciting and dynamic performances.

Paris Olympics in three words: Ride. A. Bike.

Best moment: The exuberant cheers in the streets when Teddy Riner and the French mixed judo team triumphed over Japan in a dramatic final.

Biggest disappointment: The French men’s handball team’s exit in the quarter-finals, a sobering moment for their fans.

Star of the Games: Boxer Cindy Ngamba clinched the Refugee Olympic team’s first medal.

Crowd-pleaser: Aya Nakamura’s performance with the Garde Républicaine military band at the opening ceremony charmed many.

Ones to watch for LA 2028: Table tennis prodigies Félix and Alexis Lebrun from France are ones to keep an eye on.

Paris Olympics in three words: Boost for France.

Best moment: Antoine Dupont leading France to gold in rugby sevens, sparking widespread euphoria.

Biggest disappointment: The turmoil surrounding boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting due to external controversies.

Star of the Games: Léon Marchand.

Crowd-pleaser: The stunning road race cycling event on Montmartre’s hills.

One to watch for LA 2028: Jofra Archer’s potential participation for Team GB is highly anticipated.

Paris Olympics in three words: Sport is amazing.

Best moment: A tie between the men’s 1500m, Sifan Hassan’s marathon gold, and Alex Yee’s incredible race along the Seine.

Biggest disappointment: The IOC’s lackluster response to controversies in women’s boxing and volleyball.

Star of the Games: Paris, unmatched in beauty and spirit, along with Léon Marchand.

Crowd-pleaser: France’s sevens team, with the crowds buzzing along the Seine during Camille Beaugrand’s triathlon gold win.

One to watch for LA 2028: Phoebe Gill from GB, a young athlete showing remarkable promise in the 800m.

Paris Olympics in three words: Spectaculaire, magnifique, cool.

Best moment: Antoine Dupont’s electrifying performance in the sevens final.

Biggest disappointment: The gender eligibility row in boxing.

Star of the Games: Léon Marchand.

Crowd-pleaser: The enigmatic Seine.

One to watch for LA 2028: British runner Emile Cairess.

Paris Olympics in three words: Oh. Là. Là!

Best moment: Mondo Duplantis’s pole vault world record, Léon Marchand’s impressive 200m breaststroke, and Antoine Dupont’s sprint.

Biggest disappointment: The excessive pricing in stadiums, often driven by big corporations like Coca-Cola.

Star of the Games: Léon Marchand and his unparalleled performances.

Crowd-pleaser: Céline Dion’s soul-stirring performance from the Eiffel Tower.

One to watch for LA 2028: Cricket’s return to the Olympics after 128 years.

Paris Olympics in three words: Chic, sweaty, joyful.

Best moment: Every thrilling second of the women’s heavyweight weightlifting competition.

Biggest disappointment: Succumbing to time constraints and settling for a quick sandwich instead of savoring Paris’s gourmet delights.

Star of the Games: Léon Marchand.

Crowd-pleaser: The people’s marathon, a joyous spectacle on the penultimate night of the Games.

One to watch for LA 2028: Taekwondo’s Caden Cunningham.

Paris Olympics in three words: Crazy beautiful city.

Best moment: Sifan Hassan’s dramatic marathon finish after earning bronze in both the 5,000m and 10,000m.

Biggest disappointment: The International Gymnastics Federation’s mishandling of the floor exercise bronze medal controversy.

Star of the Games: Simone Biles.

Crowd-pleaser: The much-anticipated return of Simone Biles and the breathtaking venues at iconic locations.

One to watch for LA 2028: Mondo Duplantis aiming for new heights in pole vaulting.

Paris Olympics in three words: Ambitious, uplifting, harmonious.

Best moment: Watching Olga Kharlan secure Ukraine’s first medal and later clinch team gold at the Grand Palais.

Biggest disappointment: The collective disappointment of 27,000 fans as France lost in the handball quarter-finals to Germany.

Star of the Games: Paris, with its effortless charm, alongside stars like Mondo Duplantis and Yaroslava Mahuchikh.

Crowd-pleaser: The daily rendition of “Les Champs-Élysées” that united the crowds, never losing its charm.

One to watch for LA 2028: Keely Hodgkinson’s incredible potential in athletics.

Paris Olympics in three words: Lemonade. No, champagne.

Best moment: The relieving coolness of hotel air conditioning amidst Paris’s sweltering heat.

Biggest disappointment: Subpar media facilities at every venue.

Star of the Games: Journalist Jonathan Liew.

Crowd-pleaser: Bozhidar Andreev, entertaining fans with his charisma post-competition.

One to watch for LA 2028: The promising future of Keely Hodgkinson.

Paris Olympics in three words: Freed from Desire.

Best moment: Antoine Dupont’s spectacular performance in the rugby sevens final.

Biggest disappointment: The heated debates over gender eligibility in boxing.

Star of the Games: Paris, for its exemplary hosting, and the sporting stars who shone so brightly.

Crowd-pleaser: Léon Marchand’s accolades resonated throughout Paris.

One to watch for LA 2028: The ambitious goal of a car-free Olympics in LA.

Paris Olympics in three words: Ça va, Snoop?

Best moment: Tom Pidcock’s dramatic defense of his mountain biking title.

Biggest disappointment: Josh Tarling’s unfortunate puncture during the time trial, dashing his medal hopes.

Star of the Games: Emma Finucane, a standout performer in the velodrome.

Crowd-pleaser: The triumphant French BMX team, cheered on by President Macron.

One to watch for LA 2028: Emma Finucane’s promising future in cycling.

Paris Olympics in three words: Hot, dusty, beautiful.

Best moment: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s thrilling 400m hurdles victory that left spectators in awe.

Biggest disappointment: Jordan Chiles losing her bronze medal due to a technicality.

Star of the Games: Teddy Riner, besides the ever-popular Céline Dion.

Crowd-pleaser: Léon Marchand’s spectacular swimming victories that ignited La Défense Arena.

One to watch for LA 2028: Expecting Travis Kelce in flag football’s debut.

Paris Olympics in three words: Freed from Desire.

Best moment: France’s rugby sevens team’s unexpected victory over Fiji, securing their first gold medal.

Biggest disappointment: Snoop Dogg leaving the skateboarding final early.

Star of the Games: Léon Marchand, with his four gold medals.

Crowd-pleaser: The ingenious transformation of the Grand Palais for fencing and taekwondo events.

One to watch for LA 2028: The close contest between China and USA in the medal tally.

Paris Olympics in three words: Joie de Raygun.

Best moment: Nina Kennedy’s gold in pole vault, pushing Australia’s medal count to new heights.

Biggest disappointment: The surfing finals held in less-than-ideal conditions.

Star of the Games: French-born Australian Jess Fox, a double gold medallist and icon.

Crowd-pleaser: Léon Marchand, whose success electrified the crowds.

One to watch for LA 2028: The young skateboarding sensation Arisa Trew.

Paris Olympics in three words: Liberté. Égalité. Fete?!

Source: Guardian, Getty Images