Gary Langfield 
Unfortunately the 2024 Paris Olympics have come to its end, giving us a very exciting showcase of high level athletes on a global scale. This year’s Olympics provided a variety of different headlines for all types of sporting events, especially in the areas of basketball and track and field. It also provided a lot of disagreements including the Jordan Chiles situation.
Jordan Chiles was given the bronze medal in the gymnastics finals, but now it’s up in the air. Chiles had initially registered a score of 13.66, but Chiles’s coach Cecile Landi had filed an inquiry challenging the judge’s decision about her split leap.
The challenge proved successful and shot up to third place, but the people she jumped over claims that the inquiry wasn’t filed properly. The decision on whether or not Chiles keeps her medal is in the hands of the International Federation of Gymnastics.
Track And Field
American competitors racked up gold medals with their stellar performances, including Rai Benjamin who brought home two of them himself. He placed number one in the men’s 400m hurdle. He’s actually the second fastest man in history when it comes to that event. Then the entire American 4 x 400m relay team of Benjamin, Christopher Bailey, Bryce Deadmon, and Vernon Norwood took home the gold, setting a new Olympic record of 2:54.43. Quincy Wilson, 16, also received a gold medal as an alternate on the team who ran the first leg of the heat. Wilson is the youngest American male to compete in track at the Olympics and win a medal.
Chicago’s very own Shamier Little helped lead her team to a gold medal in the 4×400 relay, as she kicked off the race running a 49.45 before handing it off to her teammate Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Her teammate took it and then ran a 47.71, basically solidifying the gold at that point. Masai Russel became a gold medalist in the 4×100 hurdles with a 12.33 time, holding an NCAA record.
Sha’Carri Richardson brings home the glory after securing the gold medal for her and the team, making it her first gold medal in the Women’s 4×100 relay. The team consisted of Richardson, Gabby Thomas, Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, but Richardson definitely stood out. When Richardson was handed the baton they were in 3rd place, but in an amazing visual she zoomed to first place earning the gold medal for her squad.
Soccer
The USA women’s soccer team won their fifth gold medal after Mallory Swanson scored a goal in the 57th minute. This year the team played under their new coach Emma Haynes, who was working with a trio of new players including Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Swanson – our goal scorer.
Basketball
LeBron James has called this year’s Olympic basketball team The Avengers and rightfully so, as the team brings home a gold medal. The Avengers were obviously led by James, but with the help of other stars such as Steph Curry and Kevin “KD” Durant, America has established dominance in the world of Basketball. Watching The Avengers play was peak entertainment, as we saw all of the best players in the league come together in a battle against France for America’s pride with a score of 98-87.
The guys weren’t the only ones out there handling their business. The USA women’s basketball team also beat France in a nail biting game that ended with a one point difference of 67-66. The U.S. team, led by A’Ja Wilson and Kaleah Copper, is the first basketball team in Olympic history to win eight consecutive gold medals.
By Gary Langfield Jr.
@ima_menace19
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