27 | Artistic gymnastics | All-around, uneven bars, beam, floor, team
At 27, the gymnast from suburban Houston is a prominent figure in Team USA and holds the record for the most decorated female gymnast in history, amassing an impressive 37 medals from both the Olympics and world championships. Despite her accolades, Biles is determined to push her boundaries, showcasing some of the most challenging routines of her career. Following the challenges she faced at the Tokyo Games, where she withdrew from several finals due to mental health struggles, Biles is now the leading contender to reclaim her all-around title. “This is definitely our redemption tour,” she shared at the US trials. “I feel like we all have more to give.” Bryan Armen Graham
25 | Boxing | Women’s 75kg
Ngamba, originally from Cameroon, has been residing in Britain since she was ten. However, she cannot represent Team GB as she lacks a British passport, despite efforts by GB Boxing to facilitate her citizenship. Unable to return to Cameroon due to her sexual orientation, which is criminalized there, Ngamba pursued her education in the UK and earned a criminology degree. She looks to make history in Paris by becoming the first Refugee Olympic Team athlete to secure a medal. Ben Bloom
24 | Surfing | Women’s
Known as “The Queen of Teahupo’o” in the surfing community, Tahitian native Fierro will compete for France in the Olympic surfing event held on her home island. Having learned to surf at just two years old and winning the world junior championship in 2018, Fierro is set to represent as the first Tahitian woman in her discipline at the Olympics. Her intimate understanding of local conditions, evidenced by her recent victory in a WSL Championship Tour event there, positions her as a strong contender for gold. BB
22 | Athletics | Women’s 800m
The 22-year-old from Atherton in Greater Manchester won a silver medal in the Olympic 800m at Tokyo, setting a new British record along the way. This season promises to be her best yet, having started with an impressive 1:55.78, making it the fastest 800m time of the year. Her victory at the June European Championships brought her total major medals and titles to double digits. Although her achievements have gone under the radar, Vogue magazine named her the “new It girl of athletics,” and she aims to change that perception in Paris. Sean Ingle
5
Rachael Gunn/Raygun (Aus)
36 | Breaking | Women’s
As breaking makes its Olympic debut in Paris, the event embodies a clash of cultures: how will the organized Olympic movement embrace a form of expression rooted in social discourse? No one represents these tensions better than Australia’s Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, a 36-year-old cultural studies lecturer with a PhD focused on gender in breaking. Although she finds herself uneasy as a “white girl” in the spotlight, she strives to use her platform to advocate for breaking, which will not appear in the LA 2028 Games. Jack Snape
17 | Swimming | Women’s 200m IM, 400m IM, 200 free, 400 free, 200 fly
At just 17, the Toronto native emerged as a potential star in swimming when she beat Katie Ledecky by nearly six seconds in an 800m freestyle event, ending Ledecky’s impressive 13-year winning streak at that distance. Additionally, she broke her own world record in the 400m individual medley during Canada’s Olympic swim trials. McIntosh is a favorite in the 200m IM and 400m IM, with further chances in the 200m butterfly, 200m freestyle, and 400m freestyle; she may skip a showdown with Ledecky in the 800m to manage her endurance. BAG
21 | Swimming | Men’s 50m, 100m, 200m free, 4x200m free relay, and other relays
While the spotlight in Paris initially shines on Adam Peaty, competing for his third 100m breaststroke gold, all eyes might soon turn to Richards. The 21-year-old already holds an Olympic gold from the GB 4x200m freestyle relay in Tokyo and has since secured two golds and a bronze at the 2023 world championships. With ambitions of collecting five medals in Paris, he could set a record for the most medals earned by a British swimmer. SI
27 | Athletics | Men’s 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay
The vibrant and charismatic 27-year-old sprinter, emulating Usain Bolt’s legacy, is on a mission to reintroduce track and field to mainstream culture. Bringing heightened visibility to the sport thanks to a Netflix docuseries, Lyles has evolved since winning bronze in Tokyo. He conquered the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay at last year’s world championships; he now aims for the same at the Stade de France and may even attempt a fourth medal in the 4x400m, joining the ranks of Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens. BAG
25 | Artistic gymnastics | All-around, uneven bars, beam, floor
Andrade has gained recognition since winning Olympics all-around silver in Tokyo, becoming the first female Brazilian gymnast to secure a podium finish, and followed it with gold in the individual vault. At the 2022 world championships in Antwerp, she surpassed Simone Biles, defending her title by overcoming the American’s error on her signature vault. While Biles is a strong contender aiming to reclaim her all-around title from Tokyo, Andrade will relentlessly pursue her throughout the competition week. BAG
14 | Skateboard | Women’s Park
In July last year, Australian skater made history by landing the first 720 in a women’s competition during the Tony Hawk Vert Alert event, a trick originally pioneered by Hawk in 1985. She later raised the stakes in May by achieving a 900 in training, garnering attention from Hawk who shared her accomplishment on social media, proclaiming that “glass ceilings are so 2023.” Although this trick was performed on a vert ramp, she qualified for the park event in Paris. JS
22 | Swimming | 200m fly, 200m breaststroke, 200m IM, 400m IM
Holding the title of the “Face of the Games” comes with pressure; successes and failures can define these athletes. Amid expectations in Paris, swimmer Marchand is set to shine. Under the mentorship of Michael Phelps’s former coach, Bob Bowman, Marchand secured triple gold at the previous year’s world championships. Targeting four individual events in Paris, he broke Phelps’s longstanding world record in the 400m individual medley last year and is poised to ascend to greatness. The French nation anticipates his success. BB
27 | Cycling | Individual track pursuit, individual road time trial
Dygert nearly saw her career come to a halt after a terrible crash that necessitated three surgeries in 2022, compounded by a battle with the Epstein-Barr virus that left her exhausted. However, the 27-year-old from Indiana has emerged as possibly the most gifted American cyclist of her generation, boasting victories in both the individual pursuit on the track and individual time trial on the road at the previous year’s world championships in Glasgow. She aims to replicate this success in Paris while balancing her schedule between the road and the velodrome. BAG
27 | Boxing | Men’s +92kg
GB Boxing has long been a leading force in the Olympics. Despite doubts about their current men’s team strength ahead of Paris, the 27-year-old Orie stands out. Born in Moscow to a Russian mother and Nigerian father, he moved to the UK at seven. The super-heavyweight is likened to Anthony Joshua, who started boxing late as well, at age 18. Orie won the Commonwealth Games title in 2022 and is now determined to win gold before transitioning to the professional circuit. Notably, he is also academically accomplished, having completed a degree in economics and management. SI
14
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (US)
24 | Athletics | Women’s 400m hurdles, 4x400m relay
As one of the track world’s most remarkable and enigmatic figures, McLaughlin-Levrone first shattered the 400m hurdles world record at the 2021 US Olympic trials, and she has broken it three times since, including at the US Olympic trials. The 24-year-old from New Jersey has tantalized audiences with glimpses of her broad potential; this year, she has raced across five disciplines — 100m and 400m hurdles, 200m and 400m flat, and the 4×100 relay — achieving elite times consistently. She has stated her intention to focus on defending her 400m hurdles gold, her “first love.” Claiming victories in both individual events would grant her four Olympic golds before turning 25, paving the way for greater aspirations for LA 2028. BAG
25 | Golf | Men’s golf
After capturing the Open title, Australian golf’s star Cameron Smith shifted to LIV in 2022, which affected his ranking and left a gap for Lee to fill. The 25-year-old has successfully transitioned from the European Tour to the PGA Tour, ascending into the world’s top 40. Known for his viral video game-infused catchphrase “let him cook,” Lee often appears on the course in chef hats. Interestingly, his sister, Minjee Lee, will also represent Australia in golf at the Paris Games. JS
30 | Canoe slalom | Women’s C1, K1
The 30-year-old paddler will represent Australia in her fourth Olympics, hosted in the nation of her birth. Having clinched four Olympic medals, including gold in the women’s C1 canoe slalom in Tokyo, she has risen to prominence in Australian sports. With a French family background, Fox is a prominent figure in her country’s team for Paris. This legacy in paddling is significant; her father, Richard, is a former UK Olympian and world champion, while her mother Myriam secured a bronze in 1996, and her sister Noemie has also qualified for the Australian team for Paris. JS
17
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix (GB)
19 | Diving | Women’s 10m platform, women’s 10m synchro
This immensely talented diver gained fame at the 2022 Commonwealth Games after securing two gold medals and being recognized as the daughter of TV personality Fred Sirieix, known as the maître d’ on Channel 4’s First Dates. Remarkably, this success followed her contemplation of leaving diving in early 2022 due to mental health challenges. Anticipate even greater achievements in Paris, as she recently won three medals at the world championships, including gold in the team event alongside her partner Lois Toulson. SI
17 | Artistic gymnastics | All around, uneven bars, beam, floor
Last year, Nemour made history as the first African gymnast to secure a medal at the world championships, earning silver for Algeria on the uneven bars. This summer, she could potentially make history again by achieving the same feat at the Olympics. Born and raised in France, she switched allegiance to Algeria in 2023 following a conflict with the French Gymnastics Federation. Amid a complex history between these countries, Nemour now has the chance to succeed for Algeria on French soil, and she already has a move named in her honor as she strives for gold. BB
21 | Cycling | Women’s sprint, team sprint
Finucane has been dreaming of the Olympics since she was nine, inspired by the performance of Team GB at London 2012 while on holiday in France. Now, at 21, she has not only achieved her dream but is also one of the brightest prospects for gold. After a stellar 2023, she earned her first world title in the women’s sprint and secured silver in the women’s team event. As comparisons to Victoria Pendleton—one of London 2012’s stars—grow, Finucane stands ready to make her mark. SI
35 | Breaking | Women’s
The inclusion of breakdancing in the Olympic program has sparked skepticism, with some labeling it a “mockery” and a desperate attempt by the IOC to attract younger audiences. Choi, a 35-year-old B-girl who turned her back on a corporate role at Estée Lauder, will spearhead a strong US contingent as breaking makes its debut at the Place de la Concorde. “Breaking doesn’t need the Olympics,” Choi stated. “Ultimately, we’ll continue to thrive, regardless of the Olympic landscape.” BAG
26 | Triathlon | Men’s triathlon, mixed relay
Yee, already a prominent figure after winning gold and silver in Tokyo, is favored to clinch double gold in Paris. Renowned for his running prowess, Yee once showcased his abilities at the 2018 European Athletics Championships. His enhanced swimming and biking skills became evident when he dominated the Olympic test event last year. “I feel significantly more matured as an athlete compared to 2021,” he asserted. “I’ll give it my all.” SI
19 | Athletics | 200m, 4x100m relay
Australia’s fastest woman shattered a 10-year national record in the 100m this year and followed with a victory over international competitors in the 200m at the season-opening Diamond League in China, defeating Sha’Carri Richardson. Lewis, originally from Nottingham, emigrated to Australia at age six. While she excels in both distances, her focus in Paris will be on the 200m; she also plans to compete in the relay. Notably, Australia has qualified for the men’s and women’s 100m relay teams for the first time since Sydney 2000. JS
22 | Swimming | Women’s 100m free, 200m breaststroke, 200m IM
Since capturing bronze in her Olympic debut in the 200m individual medley three years ago, Douglass has developed into one of the most adaptable swimmers in the world and is a key contender for breakout success at the Paris Games. Leading all Americans with six medals at last year’s worlds, she continued her success with five additional medals in Doha this year. While overshadowed by notable teammates like Katie Ledecky and Caeleb Dressel, the 22-year-old from the outskirts of Manhattan is poised for success in the 200m breaststroke, 100m freestyle, and a high-stakes battle in the 200m individual medley against Australia’s Kaylee McKeown, Canada’s Summer McIntosh, and US teammate Alex Walsh. BAG
30 | Swimming | Men’s 50m freestyle
Despite Australia’s history of success in swimming, no male athlete from the country has yet to clinch a medal in the 50m freestyle. McEvoy is determined to change this narrative. The 30-year-old, who has entered his fourth Olympics and is the oldest in the Australian delegation, won the world championship last year but narrowly missed out this February by just a hundredth of a second. He has opted for an unconventional training shift, significantly reducing his load from 30km to just 3km a week while focusing on maximizing the quality of each swim. JS
