Think about the memorable moments of these Olympics.
Sure, you have your Simone Biles vaults and your Katie Ledecky victory laps. And, yes, two thrilling men’s and women’s gold medal basketball games between the United States and France. But, aside from those, most of the iconic snapshots of the Paris Games came from the U.S. track & field delegation.
From Noah Lyles’ photo-finish coronation as the world’s fastest man to Quincy Hall and Cole Hocker coming from nowhere to win the 400 meters and the metric mile, respectively, the Paris Games have been an American masterclass of speed, skill, strength and mettle.
Certainly, when measured against international competition in the rear-view mirror on the 2024 leaderboard. And perhaps going a lot further, too.
It’s hardly hyperbolic to suggest this year’s U.S. delegation compares favorably to any that’s ever competed in home Games or traveled overseas wearing red, white and blue. Throw in Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s world-record gold in the women’s 400 hurdles, Tara Davis-Woodhall’s win in the long jump and the virtuoso performances of the women’s 4×100- and 4×400-meter relay teams, and it becomes far more difficult to suggest this year’s team has a peer.
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