fitness · Olympics

A few favorite Olympic moments

catherine w

It’s now the lull in between the closing ceremonies of the 2024 Olympics and the opening festivities of the 2024 Paralympic Games (which start Aug 28). Looking back, here are just a few of the many bright moments I enjoyed. Let me know what you most enjoyed in the comments.

In no particular order:

  • USA’s Kristen Faulkner pulling away from favorites Marianne Vos of the Netherlands and Lotte Kopecky of Belgium to win the Olympic women’s road cycling race
  • Weightlifter Li Wenwen of China showing us grace and strength, then jumping for joy on the podium after she wins gold. Her colleagues from South Korea and Great Britain beam happily, enjoying the moment.
  • So many Olympians— so many Muppets to congratulate them! If you want to see more Muppet coverage of the Olympics, check it out here.
Katie Ledecky with her gold medal and a cookie one.
Katie Ledecky with her gold medal and a cookie one.
Fencers Scruggs and Kiefer show Cookie Monster how it's done, baguette-style.
Fencers Scruggs and Kiefer show Cookie Monster how it’s done, baguette-style.
Abby poses with her new (and very fast) friend, bronze medalist Melissa Jefferson.
Abby poses with her new (and very fast) friend, bronze medalist Melissa Jefferson.

  • Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, winning back-to-back gold medals breaking her own world record, being the first track athlete to break four world records in the same event, and bearing down hard on the 50-second mark in the 400-meter hurdles.
  • Two words: Simone Biles.

I’m also looking forward to the Paralympic Games at the end of August. More athletes, more records, more great stories. Who could ask for anything more?

Well, okay– I still don’t really get Phryge, the Paris Olympic mascot. But maybe that’s just me…

Phryge-- what are they supposed to be, again?
Phryge– what are they supposed to be, again?

Published by catherine w

I'm a feminist public health ethicist (yes, that's a thing). I'm interested in heath behavior change, particularly around eating and activity, and how things other than knowledge affect our health decisions.I'm also a cyclist (road, sort-of-off-road, commuter), regular yoga-doer, occasional swimmer and kayaker and leisurely social walker.