Others

The 2024 Paris Olympics have witnessed several unfortunate incidents that have marred the performances of international athletes. Here are some notable examples:Jordan Chiles:Jordan Chiles' Olympic dream took a devastating turn when her bronze medal in the women's floor exercise was revoked due to a timing technicality. After an initial appeal, her score was revised, but the Romanian Gymnastics Federation challenged the timing of the appeal. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled against Chiles, stripping her of the medal. Despite new evidence, CAS upheld its decision, leaving Chiles' medal status uncertain.Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce:Jamaica's three-time Olympic gold medalist, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, suffered a setback when she withdrew from the women's 100-meter semifinals due to an injury sustained during warmups. The injury prevented her from competing, leaving Jamaica without one of its top sprinters.Noah Lyles:Noah Lyles' Olympic aspirations were hindered by a positive COVID-19 test just two days before the men's 200-meter final. Despite medical clearance, his performance was visibly affected by the illness. He finished third, well below his personal best and hopes of breaking Usain Bolt's world record.Carolina Marin:Carolina Marin's comeback hopes were shattered when she collapsed on the court during her semifinal match against He Bingjiao. After a long recovery from a knee injury, Marin was on track for victory but suffered a devastating knee injury that forced her to withdraw from the match.Simone Biles and Suni Lee:Simone Biles and Suni Lee faced challenges in the balance beam final, resulting in neither gymnast earning a podium spot. Biles lost her balance and stepped off the beam, while Lee fell after a wobble. This marked the first time since 2000 that an American gymnast did not reach the podium in this event.These incidents highlight the unpredictable nature of sports and the challenges athletes face in pursuing their Olympic dreams. Despite the setbacks, these athletes have shown resilience and determination, inspiring others with their unwavering spirit.

Two-time world champion Shericka Jackson's withdrawal from the Olympic 200m heats on Sunday has dealt another blow to the Jamaican team, following Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's absence from the 100m. Jackson's decision to skip the 200m was only revealed by the late addition of "DNS" (Did Not Start) next to her name on the official start sheet.Jackson, 30, had previously withdrawn from the 100m, citing the need to prioritize her physical and mental well-being. "You have to do the best for your body and your mind and your soul. I'm OK with the decision," she said.Jackson's absence from the 200m leaves a significant void in the Jamaican team, as she is one of the world's top sprinters. She won the 200m at the 2019 World Championships and finished second in the event at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.The semi-finals of the Olympic 200m are scheduled for Monday, with the final set for Tuesday. Jackson's teammate Elaine Thompson-Herah, who missed the Paris Diamond League meet due to injury, is expected to compete in both events. Thompson-Herah won both the 100m and 200m at the Tokyo Olympics.Jackson's withdrawal is a setback for the Jamaican team, which is aiming to maintain its dominance in women's sprinting. However, the team still has a strong contingent of athletes competing in the 200m, including Thompson-Herah and Briana Williams.

The Paris Olympics, commencing on July 24, will witness a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars. Among the veterans, several notable athletes have announced their final Olympic appearances.Simone Biles: At 27, Biles is the youngest on this list but has already made history as the oldest American woman to make an Olympic gymnastics team since the 1950s. After a two-year hiatus, she returned to dominate the sport, winning multiple gold medals worldwide. In Paris, she aims to add to her seven Olympic medals, including four golds from Rio 2016.Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce: The Jamaican sprint legend has declared Paris 2024 as her final Olympics. She will compete in her fifth Games, seeking to increase her medal count of eight, including three golds. After the Olympics, Fraser-Pryce plans to focus on her family.LeBron James: The basketball icon has announced that Paris 2024 will be his last Olympic appearance. With two golds (Beijing 2008 and London 2012) and a bronze (Athens 2004), James will become the first US men's basketball player to compete in three different decades. He leads a star-studded team that has drawn comparisons to the legendary "Dream Team" of 1992.Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray: Two of the three tennis greats in Paris have confirmed their final Olympic appearances. Nadal, with two golds (singles in Beijing 2008 and doubles in Rio 2016), has announced his retirement from the Games. Murray has hinted at a farewell tour, having won two golds (singles in London 2012 and Rio 2016) and a mixed doubles silver (London 2012). Djokovic, however, has not mentioned retirement and remains a dominant force in tennis.Eliud Kipchoge: The Kenyan long-distance running legend has not officially announced his retirement but has expressed uncertainty about his future Olympic participation. Kipchoge has won gold in his last two Olympics, becoming only the third person to achieve this feat. A victory in Paris would make him the most successful marathon runner in Olympic history, with an unprecedented hat-trick of golds.