The 2024 Paris Olympics men's basketball tournament is set to be the most competitive yet, with Team USA aiming to reclaim dominance with stars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. However, strong international teams led by players like Nikola Jokic (Serbia), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) pose significant challenges. The U.S. remains the favorite but faces tough competition in a single-elimination format.
Simone Biles has moved past the Tokyo Olympics and is focused on her personal and professional growth, including therapy and redefining her relationship with gymnastics. Despite ongoing criticism, she is preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics on her own terms, aiming to push her limits and find peace. Biles continues to support her teammates and remains a singular talent in the sport, determined to leave a lasting legacy.
Lilly King qualified for the 200-meter breaststroke at the Paris Olympics, making her the first American to qualify for both the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke in three consecutive Olympics. Shortly after her race, she got engaged to her boyfriend, James Wells, who proposed to her at the Olympic trials.
Former NBA player Chase Budinger has qualified for the US beach volleyball team at the Paris Olympics, making him the first person to have played in the NBA and appeared in Olympic beach volleyball. Budinger, who switched to volleyball seven years ago, will compete alongside partner Miles Evans.
Former NBA player Chase Budinger and partner Miles Evans secured the last U.S. Olympic beach volleyball spot for the Paris Games after a strong qualifying performance. This will be their first Olympics, having overtaken Theo Brunner and Trevor Crabb in the rankings. Budinger, who transitioned from a successful basketball career, and Evans have shown significant improvement since teaming up in 2023.
As Simone Biles secures her spot for a third Olympic team, the race to join her at Paris 2024 intensifies. Shilese Jones is recovering from a shoulder injury, while Skye Blakely's strong performance at the U.S. Championships boosts her chances. Reigning Olympic champion Suni Lee returns to form, and the battle for the final spot on Team USA remains fierce, with contenders like Kayla DiCello, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, and Joscelyn Roberson vying for a place.
Shilese Jones, a two-time world all-around medallist, has withdrawn from the 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Championships to prioritize recovery from a shoulder injury. Jones aims to be at full strength for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in June, with hopes of competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Olympic champion Katie Ledecky has expressed that faith in the anti-doping system is at an "all-time low" following the handling of a doping case involving Chinese swimmers. Ledecky, who is preparing for her fourth Olympics in Paris, is concerned about competing on an uneven playing field. Reports revealed that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug before the Tokyo Olympics, but were not penalized due to contamination claims accepted by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Ledecky calls for accountability and transparency to restore confidence in the system.
U.S. hurdler Lashinda Demus will receive her Olympic gold medal 12 years after finishing second to a Russian athlete who was later found to be doping. Demus will be awarded the medal at a special ceremony during the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking the first time the IOC has held a "reallocation" ceremony at a Summer Games. Despite the long wait and financial losses, Demus is excited to finally be recognized as an Olympic champion.
American hurdler Lashinda Demus will finally receive her gold medal from the 2012 London Olympics at a ceremony in Paris, 12 years after losing to a Russian athlete later found guilty of doping. Demus, who has since become a coach and clinical researcher, negotiated for the medal presentation to occur at the Paris Olympics' Champions Park. Despite the delay, she remains positive and views herself as a trailblazer in the fight against doping.
Simone Biles, Shilese Jones, and Suni Lee are taking significant steps toward the Paris 2024 Olympics by participating in the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Ft. Worth, Texas. The event is a crucial part of the selection process for the U.S. Olympic team, with the final squad to be named on June 30. Jones is focused on peaking at the trials despite a sore shoulder, while Biles and Lee are refining their routines. Gabby Douglas withdrew due to an ankle injury but remains hopeful for LA 2028.
Three-time Olympic gold medallist Gabby Douglas has withdrawn from the U.S. Gymnastics Championships due to an ankle injury. Despite not qualifying for the all-around, she had scored high enough to compete on three apparatus. Douglas, who made a comeback after a break since Rio 2016, plans to continue training for the LA 2028 Olympics.
Toyota is reportedly ending its $835 million sponsorship deal with the International Olympic Committee after the 2024 Paris Olympics, citing dissatisfaction with how the IOC used the sponsorship money. The deal, which began with the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, is the IOC's largest sponsorship. Toyota previously pulled its Olympic advertising during the Tokyo 2021 Games due to public opposition. The IOC, which heavily relies on broadcast rights and sponsorships for income, is expected to seek a new vehicle sponsor if Toyota exits.
48-year-old Uzbek gymnast Oksana Chusovitina's bid to compete in her ninth consecutive Olympic Games in Paris 2024 has ended due to an injury sustained during training for the Asian Gymnastic Championships. Chusovitina, who made her Olympic debut in 1992 and has competed in every Summer Games since, expressed her disappointment on Instagram but encouraged fans to support other gymnasts.
Gymnastics legend Oksana Chusovitina, 48, will miss the Paris 2024 Olympics due to an injury, ending her streak of competing in every Olympic Games since 1992.
