This summer, people from around the globe, including SPA’s very own Spartans, gathered in Paris to watch the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Junior Clare Ryan Bradley attended the Paris Olympics to cheer on various US athletes participating in Track and Field, Women’s Soccer, and Men’s Basketball.
The Olympics brings together the best athletes in the world to compete against each other. This year, the US Men’s basketball team was stacked with the best players in the game: Stephen Curry, Lebron James, and Kevin Durant, just to name a few. The team even featured Minnesota basketball star Anthony Edwards.
“It was super cool to see some of the best basketball players on a team together,” Ryan Bradley said when recounting watching the men’s basketball final.
Ryan Bradley had her sight set on one player in particular. “Anthony Edwards is my favorite [basketball] player, so it was amazing to see him play for the national team,” she said.
Many athletes complete intense training to even be considered for the Olympics. After the 2012 Olympics, it was recorded that some athletes spent 10,000 hours training. The passion each of these competitors has for their sport makes a mark on viewers.
“It was inspiring to see Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone reset the world record in the 400 hurdles because she already established herself as the greatest 400-meter hurdles runner ever.” Ryan Bradley said.
Senior Alba Markowitz Mulet traveled around France with her friends. As a result of good timing, the trio was able to attend a few Olympic events including the Men’s Rugby 7s, Men’s Doubles Tennis, and Men and Women’s Volleyball.
Markowitz Mulet wanted to attend the Olympics for many reasons, but the standout reason was simply being a fan. “Seeing everyone’s pride in their country” prompted her to join in on the fan spirit while “being able to watch the best athletes of the world play the game of their lives,” Markowitz Mulet said.
While the USA played France in Men’s Beach Volleyball and Rugby, Markowitz Mulet felt the most patriotic. Although the USA and France’s flags share colors, their Team fans were set on beating the other: “Seeing the stands fill up with the red, white, and blue flags of both countries and hearing the opposing chants was incredible,” she said.
While all the sports featured in the Olympics are impressive, Markowitz Mulet left the Rugby 7s event with a newfound respect for the game. Rugby was a sport she “had never even considered” watching.
Markowitz Mulet was left in shock after realizing her eyes were glued to the game: “The small teams, seven-minute halves, and the quick aggressive nature of [rugby] resulted in a fast-paced and intense viewing experience,” she said.
Compared to American football, a sport Markowitz Mulet is more adept with, there is a lack of spare time to grab “snacks and bathroom breaks”, but she did not mind: “Rugby 7s had me unable to leave my seat from beginning to end,” Markowitz Mulet said.
The games lasted from Jul. 26 to Aug. 11 with Team USA bringing home the most medals.
