FOR just over two weeks the world watched in awe as athletes did what they'd trained for years to do: go faster, soar higher and be stronger than everyone else.
And what a spectacle it was. The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, the camaraderie of competition, the sheer spectacle of performance at its peak - all this and more went down in Paris.
The City of Lights pulled out all the stops, living up to its motto of "Games Wide Open" by taking sports into the streets, across the countryside and into suburbs.
More than 10 000 athletes in 32 disciplines took part - and as we get used to the fact that it's all over until Los Angeles 2028, we look back at the extravaganza that had us glued to our screens. As one commentator put it, "If it could last forever it wouldn't be special."
TATJANA SMITH
Our golden girl won gold in the 100m breaststroke and silver in the 200m breaststroke, becoming the most-decorated South African Olympian of all time.
The 27-year-old Joburger announced her retirement after the 200m swim, exiting the world stage on the ultimate high.
"I'm just grateful to have the opportunity to end off my career in this way,' she said.
"I'm excited to in the future tell my kids I used to swim there [at the Olympics] once.
I'm just grateful that I can walk away with medals. It's any athlete's dream"
SIMONE BILES
The pint-sized powerhouse proved she was the greatest gymnast the world has ever seen when she won four medals - three gold and a silver to bring her Olympic medal tally to 11.
Simone (27) put the drama of the Tokyo Games-where she crashed out after experiencing the "twisties"-behind her and turned on the razzle dazzle in a gruelling competition.
"To see where I've grown from Tokyo and even the 19-year-old from Rio is amazing" she said.
"I'm proud of myself for putting in the work and never giving up"
Denne historien er fra 22 August 2024-utgaven av YOU South Africa.
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Denne historien er fra 22 August 2024-utgaven av YOU South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY
Lynn and Kairo Forbes invite us into their home as they prepare for their second Christmas without AKA
DENZEL'S DECADE OF SOBRIETY
Expensive wine was his weakness but these days the legendary Hollywood actor is all about clean living
WE DID IT FOR YOU, DAD
It was a dream come true for Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse when they ran out together for the Boks – but it was bittersweet too
HIP-HOPPING ALONG!
Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo, is about to become an even bigger star thanks to a catchy new song released in her honour
IAM NO DIFFERENT
Despite being born without legs, Kanya Sesser truimphs at anything she sets her mind to
OUR WONDERFUL, WEIRD WORLD
Bizarre and beautiful spots exist off the well-worn tourist paths that criss-cross our precious planet
GOD'S INFLUENCER
After Carlo Acutis died at age 15, he was credited with performing miracles. Now the Italian is about to be canonised as the Catholic Church's first millennial saint. But what did the seemingly ordinary teenager do that was so special?
RUCK ON!
Rucking walking with a weighted rucksack - has gained popularity once again for its ability to improve your heart health, increase your strength and burn kilojoules fast
MY KIDNEY FOR MY SON
This Cape Town mom is determined to lose 50kg so she can give her boy the gift of life
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
She's been deaf since she.was a baby but now Chermelle ;s slowly startmg to hear thanks to a Cochlear Implant
