Simone Biles, LeBron James, Tom Daley, Teddy Riner – it could be your last chance to watch these star names, and more, on the biggest stage of all with the Paris Olympic Games potentially a final curtain call.
Most of the time, athletes themselves don’t know for sure when they will hang up their leotards, take to the court or dive into the pool for the final time at an Olympic Games. Laser focus is centred on the upcoming Games. After that? What will be, will be.
But as their careers progress, there are naturally a limited number of times that these greats can be seen in all their glory in person.
Less than eight months before Paris 2024, only a handful of athletes have been officially selected by their National Olympic Committee to compete at the Games in France. Most will be selected just a month or so ahead of the sporting extravaganza, which starts Friday 26 July.
So, selection is unpredictable, let alone retirement. Nevertheless, here are four Olympic icons to keep a close eye on ahead of Paris because they could be competing on the Olympic stage for the last time.
Thankfully, you have a chance to be there with the latest phase of tickets going on sale Thursday 30 November at 10m (CET). To grab yours now, head to the Official Ticketing Website of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
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À vos marques, prêt ?Nouveaux billets en vente aujourd’hui à 10h heure de Paris. Premiers arrivés, premiers servis.Tous les sports et toutes les sessions disponibles sur https://t.co/69KhSVvvHI 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/oIHjZTSU38
— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) November 30, 2023Simone Biles
After her case of the ‘twisties’ at the last Olympic Games, not even Simone Biles herself knew what lay ahead.
The four-time Olympic champion took two years off after Tokyo before making a comeback in August 2023 at the US Classic. Two months later, at the World Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, the American added four more golds to her tally to become the most decorated gymnast of all time with 23 world titles.
Hailed as the greatest gymnast of all time, millions of eyes will be on Biles in the lead up to Paris with the world watching to see if she can reclaim her title as all-around Olympic Champion, which she won at Rio 2016.
Taking the process step-by-step, the 26-year-old says she is finally competing for no one but herself, with joy of the sport at its fore. If Biles does compete in Paris, it’ll be quite the ticket to have, a celebration of ‘arguably’ the best gymnast ever seen.
- Exclusive – Simone Biles: “I came to the realization, I can still be a wife and be out here.”
Simone Biles holds team gold medal won at Rio 2016 with Team USA
(Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)LeBron James
After openly contemplating retirement after the Lakers’ lost to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA playoffs, the Lakers announced that LeBron James would be continuing with the team through his 21st season.
Since then, he has been talking about his interest in playing for Team USA at the Paris 2024.
The basketball legend has played in three Olympic Games and holds two Olympic gold medals and one bronze.
Pondering retirement in 2023 could make it unlikely for an Olympic return in LA, although a home Games in the town he made his name could prove enticing.
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LeBron James celebrates winning Team USA gold at London 2012
(Harry How/Getty Images)Tom Daley
After taking his first Olympic gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games, 29-year-old diver Tom Daley took a two-year hiatus before announcing that he’s making a comeback in time for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The British father-of-two announced his decision via his YouTube channel and revealed his change of heart came after his son Robbie said, “Papa, I want to see you dive at the Olympics”. The comment lit a new fire inside and Daley returned to the pool.
The video was posted on 29 July, 2023, just three days after the world celebrated one year to the Paris 2024 kick-off.
Millions of people keep up with the day-to-day of Daley’s life on social media and will be excited to see what he can do in Paris. Not just in the pool, but what he might be knitting poolside. In a pastime taken up to help him relax, crafting has now become a passion, a business and a focus outside training.
Training at the London Aquatics Centre, in which he competed at his second Olympic Games in 2012 having already competed at Beijing 2008 as a 14-year-old, Daley also spends time in LA with his American husband and children. So could LA 2028 be in mind for the 29-year-old and another ‘home’ Olympic Games?
No one knows. Not even Tom. Paris could be his last.
- Tom Daley confirms return to diving after two years away, with goal of competing at Paris 2024
GB’s Tom Daley finally wins Olympic gold, at Tokyo 2020, in men’s 10m synchro event with Matty Lee
(Clive Rose/Getty Images)Teddy Riner
Five-time Olympic medalist and 11-time World Champion Teddy Riner holds more judo world titles than any other male or female judoka.
The French heavyweight will step up to Paris as a hometown favorite to medal, and at 34 years old, it would be a sweet final victory.
Riner has publicly spoken about injuries and fatigue, but with his historic world title win in May, he seems to know when to pull out the stops.
Paris 2024 would be a momentous win for the judoka in front of a home crowd 16 years after his Olympic debut in 2008.
- Teddy Riner: Most asked questions about French judo star
Teddy Rinner celebrates gold in the mixed team judo event at Tokyo 2020
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