The biggest standout moments of sport in 2024

One of the most inspiring stories of 2024 saw Simone Biles make a remarkable comeback at the Paris Olympics. After stepping away from competition during the Tokyo Games in 2021 to focus on her mental health, Biles reaffirmed her status as the greatest of all time by securing five medals, including three golds.

This year Caitlin Clark skyrocketed from collegiate standout to global basketball icon. After guiding the University of Iowa to their first-ever NCAA championship earlier in the year, she transitioned effortlessly to the WNBA, becoming its brightest star almost overnight. Representing the Indiana Fever, Clark dominated the league, leading in scoring and breaking the single-season record for three-pointers.

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It’s maybe not the most positive story out there, depending on how you like to look at it, but the San Jose State University volleyball team’s trans player dispute became a major talking point in not just sports news, but general news too. It centered around reportedly transgender athlete Blaire Fleming and her place on the team led to protests, forfeits and ultimately lawsuits that plagued the NCAA competition this year.

Already challenging for his place among the greatest Formula 1 has ever seen, Max Verstappen continued his winning ways in 2024 picking up his fourth World Championship title. We did get to a see a little battle for the title from Lando Norris at McLaren, but ultimately the Dutchman once again proved to be too good for the rest of the paddock.

Just before the start of the season, Lewis Hamilton shocked the motorsport world by announcing his decision to join Ferrari for 2025. After more than a decade with Mercedes – a partnership that delivered six of his seven world championships –Hamilton's move marks the beginning of a new chapter for both the legendary driver and the iconic Scuderia, as reported by the BBC.

With his flamboyant style and undeniable talent, Noah Lyles became the standout star of the Paris Olympics track events. He claimed gold in the 100m and the 4x100m relay, becoming the first American to win the 100m since Justin Gatlin in 2004. Lyles also earned a bronze in the 200m, despite battling COVID during the race. The iconic image of him collapsing at the finish line will be remembered as a defining moment in Olympic history.

In a thrilling Super Bowl LVIII, the Kansas City Chiefs edged out the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime, securing their second consecutive championship. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes delivered a standout performance, earning his third Super Bowl MVP title. It was a victory that ultimately solidified the Chiefs' dynasty status in the NFL.

Rugby star Ilona Maher emerged as a standout athlete in 2024, helping Team USA Rugby Sevens secure a historic bronze medal at the Paris Olympics – their first-ever Olympic medal in the sport. Maher’s physicality and tenacity were instrumental in the team’s victory over Australia in the third-place match. Her pivotal role in this milestone achievement marked a turning point for U.S. rugby, solidifying her status as a key figure in the sport’s growing legacy.

The Indian cricket team clinched their second ICC Men's T20 World Cup title in June, with a thrilling 7-run victory over South Africa in the final at Kensington Oval, Barbados. This triumph ended India's 13-year wait for a world title, marking their first global tournament victory since the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh truly made history in 2024, solidifying her status as a leading figure in athletics. On July 7, 2024, at the Paris Diamond League, Mahuchikh set a new world record by clearing 2.10 meters, surpassing the previous mark of 2.09 meters set by Stefka Kostadinova in 1987. Building on this momentum, Mahuchikh secured the gold medal in the women's high jump at the Paris 2024 Olympics, clearing a height of 2.00 meters on her first attempt, as documented by the Olympic's official website.

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal added another chapter to his illustrious career by representing Spain at the Paris Olympics. Though he didn’t win a medal, Nadal's presence on the court was a testament to his enduring passion and resilience, inspiring fans and players alike. Competing in what was his final Olympic appearance, Nadal’s journey at the Games served as a celebration of his remarkable legacy in tennis.

Also of note for Spain, we saw their national team clinch their record-breaking fourth UEFA European Championship title by defeating England 2-1 in a thrilling final on July 14, 2024, at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. This victory solidified Spain's dominance in European football, surpassing Germany's record of three titles.

The Boston Celtics secured their 18th NBA Championship by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 NBA Finals. Led by stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, the Celtics added another title to their storied franchise history, reinforcing their position as the team with the most championships in NBA history.

The Florida Panthers clinched their first Stanley Cup in franchise history by defeating the Edmonton Oilers in a thrilling Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals. This victory marked a historic milestone for the Panthers, who had previously reached the finals in 1996 but fell short.

In 2024, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City made history by winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title, a feat never before achieved in English football. With a 3-1 victory over West Ham on the final day, City cemented their dominance, finishing top of the league with a lethal mix of firepower and defensive stability.

At just 16 years old, Gout Gout has become a rising star in Australian athletics, making headlines with his exceptional sprinting performances. In December 2024, he broke a 56-year-old national 200m record, clocking an impressive 20.04 seconds at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championship. He is officially the fastest 16-yeard-old in history and has been labeled the next Usain Bolt, per the BBC, definitely one to watch in 2025!

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