Paris 2024: One Year On, Here’s What I Still Can’t Forget
At the end of this week, it will be exactly one year since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. While I was preparing for my own competition, I watched a LOT of sport. Some of it had me jumping out of my seat, some of it left me scratching my head, and some moments—even outside the arena—left a lasting impression.
Here are three of my standout memories from Paris—and why they still matter today.
1. The Men’s 100m Final – Confusion, Celebration, and Country
I was sat downstairs in the Jamaican building, in our little entertainment room, shoulder to shoulder with about half the Jamaican team. There was a buzz in the room—nerves, anticipation, pride. We were watching the men’s 100m final, and to the naked eye, in the moment, it looked like Kishane Thompson had delivered just what we were all hoping for.
Then the bubble BURST.
As the camera panned to the finish, our cheers began, but the replays showed a different story: Noah Lyles - had he done it? We were convinced Kishane had taken it the gold medal. But by 0.005 - the smallest margin to ever decide an Olympic gold medal - Noah was the winner. The energy just... evaporated. But that wasn’t even the weirdest part.
On screen, the first person embracing the newly crowned Olympic champion wasn’t a fellow American. It was Jamaica’s own Junelle Bromfield, full of joy, wrapped around him. And listen—I get it. They’re a couple. Love is love. But when you're wearing your country's colours, in that moment, in that space… let’s just say it sparked some… conversations in the room.
Performance takeaways from the 100m final:
Trust what you see, but accept what it is. Sport is full of fine margins, and perception doesn’t always match reality.
Context matters. Every action is seen and interpreted—sometimes support comes with scrutiny.
Emotions run deep, especially when national pride is on the line. Athletes are human first, competitors second.
2. Badminton Brilliance – Chinese Taipei vs. China
Let me take you from the track to the court. I went to watch the men’s doubles badminton bronze and gold medal matches—and honestly, they were masterclasses in mental resilience.
First, Malaysia pulled off an outrageous comeback against Denmark to take the bronze. They were one set down, saved four match points in the second, and then held their nerve to see it through.
Then came the final: Chinese Taipei defending their Olympic title against China, in an arena overflowing with Chinese fans. The pressure was unbelievable, you could feel the tension in the room. Their execution was flawless. Chinese Taipei didn’t just win—they became the first men’s doubles pair ever to defend their Olympic crown.
History made. And a reminder that legacy isn’t luck. It’s built on composure, precision, and fire that doesn’t fade under pressure.
Performance takeaways from the badminton final:
Comebacks are earned. It takes belief, structure, and refusal to quit—even when the odds look bleak.
The environment might not support you, but your internal focus can overpower the external noise.
Making history means holding your nerve in the moments that matter most.
3. Les Trois Coups – A French Touch of Class
This one wasn’t about medals or match points—but each time it gave me goosebumps.
Before each session of competition, the organisers invited a French public figure or sporting icon to perform les trois coups—three ceremonial knocks with a baton, borrowed from the tradition of French theatre. It symbolises the curtain rising. The beginning of the show. The anticipation of greatness.
At the diving, some of the legends chosen to do it were absolute icons to me—people whose videos I would watch on repeat. It was such a simple, elegant way to honour culture, community, and the emotional layers of performance.
Performance takeaways from Les Trois Coups:
Ritual creates rhythm. A simple cue can prepare the mind for focus and intensity.
Culture adds meaning. Competition exists in context—and embracing it adds depth to the experience.
Heroes don’t fade. When past legends return to honour the next generation, it keeps the spirit of sport alive.
Final Thoughts: Perspective is a Performance Tool
What tied these moments together for me? Perspective.
In one, I saw how national pride and personal relationships can clash. In another, I witnessed what it looks like to stay calm when the pressure is designed to rattle you. And in the last, I was reminded that performance is art—it lives within a tradition, a ritual, a rhythm that carries meaning far beyond medals.
For me, self-belief sits at the core of all this. It’s what lets you stay grounded when the world spins. It’s what allows you to perform when the stakes rise. And it’s what connects your journey to something bigger than the scoreboard.
Join the Conversation
Which Olympic moment from Paris 2024 is still living rent-free in your mind? Let me know in the comments.
And if this brought back some memories—or sparked a new insight—share it with a friend, teammate, or fellow sport-lover. Got a topic you'd like me to explore next? I’m all ears. 👇🏾