The globe’s most prestigious sporting platform is undeniably the Olympics. As the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics rapidly draw near, elite athletes worldwide prepare with aspirations of etching their names in the annals of sporting history by becoming Olympic icons. While the desire to clinch an Olympic medal is a dream shared by many athletes, only a select few get the chance to pursue sporting greatness amidst seasoned professionals, record holders, champions, and emerging talents. Following the retirements of celebrated legends like Micheal Phelps and Usain Bolt after the Rio and Tokyo Games, a fresh wave of trailblazers is poised to make their own marks in history. With their already remarkable achievements, witnessing their performances at the forthcoming Olympics promises to be enthralling. Alongside these highly adorned young talents, some veteran sporting icons are making a return this year, intent on maintaining their dominance in their respective fields. From the seasoned Olympic stars to the emerging talents, LUXUO has curated a list of the supremely decorated athletes to keep an eye on in the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
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Isabell Werth: Boasts 12 Olympic Medals
A leading figure in the realm of dressage equestrian riding, Isabell Werth holds an impressive tally of 12 Olympic medals, including an impressive seven golds. Originating from Germany, this illustrious equestrian rider commenced her journey at a mere 17 years old, acquiring invaluable skills from the distinguished trainer Dr. Uwe Schulten-Baumer. Her dominance in competitive dressage equestrianism soared as she secured gold medals in all six Olympic editions from 1992 to 2020, solidifying her status as the most decorated athlete in her sport globally. Partnering with the esteemed horse Gigolo propelled her to great heights, resulting in four Olympic golds between 1992 and 2000, along with four world championships and an additional five European victories. Together, this exceptional pair set unprecedented standards in the sport. Werth, alongside her 10-year-old equine companion Wendy de Fontane, is primed for their seventh Olympic endeavor following a triumphant display at the CDIO5* Grand Prix Special.
Emma Mckeon: Secured 11 Olympic Medals
Emma Mckeon stands as the most decorated Australian athlete in Olympic history, clinching an outstanding 11 medals across only two appearances. Hailing from Wollongong, New South Wales, Mckeon stems from a lineage of competitive swimmers, with her own family gracing illustrious events such as the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games. Following in her family’s footsteps, Emma made her Olympic debut at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, notching four medals, and added another four medals in Rio. The recent Tokyo Games witnessed her etching her name in Olympic history, securing four golds and three bronze, amplifying her count to a remarkable seven medals in a single edition. Her athletic prowess and technical finesse catapulted her to prominence, marking her as the first female swimmer and Australian to attain seven medals in a lone Olympic Games. Mckeon is slated to bid farewell to competitive swimming post the Paris appearance, announcing it as her final Olympics.
Katie Ladeky: Holds 10 Olympic Medals
Katie Ladeky, renowned as one of America’s most celebrated athletes, stands on the verge of becoming a heavyweight in the realm of global swimming, armed with an exceptional collection of 10 Olympic medals, including a whopping seven golds. Bursting onto the scene at a young age, she astounded the world by claiming the 800m freestyle gold at the London 2012 Olympics when she was merely 15. Commencing her swimming odyssey at the tender age of six, Ladeky has flourished ever since, shattering numerous longstanding American records and securing an athletic scholarship to the eminent Ivy League institution, Stanford University. At 27, she holds the world records for the 800m and 1500m freestyle, reigning as the most decorated swimmer in history, a feat achieved through her Olympic triumphs and 21 world championships. With her stellar showings in the Olympic qualifiers and a consistent track record, she emerges as a standout contender in the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce: Bagged 8 Olympic Medals
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has earned widespread acclaim as one of the luminaries in athletics. Originating from Jamaica, this sprinting powerhouse has enjoyed extraordinary success across her four Olympic outings,having garnered eight medals in the 100m, 200m dash, and the 4x100m relay. The Olympic voyage of this phenomenal athlete commenced in the grand arena of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she etched her name in history as the pioneer Caribbean lady to seize a 100m gold medal. Alongside the extraordinary and extensively decorated Usain Bolt, these dual track luminaries significantly elevated their country’s standing in the realm of athletics, standing tall as champions on the largest platform of the sport. Post her groundbreaking victory in Beijing, Fraser-Pryce sustained her streak of triumph in London by defending her title with yet another gold medal. Subsequently, she secured a Bronze in Rio and a silver in Tokyo. Not to forget the Jamaican relay team, which added four more crowns to her illustrious collection. Furthermore, she has clinched more individual accolades than any other female in history, establishing herself as a formidable force in the world of sports. Fraser-Pryce has marked the 2024 Paris Olympics as her fifth and final Olympic appearance, opting for retirement to concentrate on her family.
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Caeleb Dressel: 7 Olympic Medals
Caeleb Dressel, the American swimmer par excellence, shines as one of the premier aquatic stars globally, boasting multiple triumphs in his Olympic outings. With just two showings in Rio and Tokyo, Dressel has already amassed seven gold medals, standing tall as the record-holder for the swiftest 50m freestyle time globally. Emulating the footsteps of Michael Phelps, Dressel’s past performances underscore his authority in diverse categories, with his adaptability earmarking him as a strong contender across at least seven distinct races in this year’s Games. Most recently, at the U.S Olympic trials, the versatile swimmer effortlessly secured multiple slots on the national team, clinching victory in the 50m freestyle, the 100m butterfly, and a spot in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay.
Simone Biles: 7 Olympic Medals
Simone Biles stands tall as an indubitable emblem of American sports, unequivocally recognized as one of the gymnastic legends of our era and holding the distinction of being the most decorated gymnast in history, a feat rooted in her stellar performances at both Olympic games and world championships. Biles embarked on her athletic odyssey at a tender age of six, surpassing all expectations and competing at the national echelon while still in her early adolescence, albeit missing the age criteria to vie in the 2012 London Games. Fast forward four years, and Biles astonished the world with her flawless exhibition at the 2016 Rio Olympics, capturing four golds and a bronze. Noteworthy is her iconic contribution to the realm of gymnastics, introducing the now-iconic “Biles” maneuver to the world. This show-stopping feat on the floor exercise comprised a double layout with a half twist, now enshrined in the annals of gymnastic history, as documented by Team USA. With a staggering haul of 30 global titles and seven Olympic medals, Biles undoubtedly poses as a luminary to watch out for in the forthcoming Paris Games.
Charlotte Dujardin: 6 Olympic Medals
British dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin emerges as a potent force in the equestrian world, epitomizing dominance in this discipline. Teaming up flawlessly with her mount, Valegro, she initiated her Olympic journey at the 2012 London games, securing unequivocal triumph by claiming the individual and team gold in dressage. She further fortified her legacy by defending her prestigious title and clinching a team silver at the Rio Olympics. Following the retirement of the acclaimed Valegro, Dujardin seized the Tokyo games with Gio, securing the individual and team bronze accolades, elevating her medal count to an impressive six. Briefly reigning as Great Britain’s most decorated female athlete until cyclist Laura Kenny clinched her fourth gold, Dujardin harbors the unwavering resolve to etch her name further in the equestrian annals, gearing up for her fourth Olympics with assertive aspirations to reclaim the title of Great Britain’s most adorned female athlete.
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Lisa Carrington: 6 Olympic Medals
From the lands of New Zealand, Lisa Carrington emerges as the epitome of sporting excellence, standing as her nation’s most adorned athlete with a tally of six Olympic medals—comprising five golds and one bronze—charting an illustrious career as a canoe sprint racer. Beyond her stellar feats in the Canoe Sprint World Championships, Carrington made a resounding impact by clinching three consecutive golds in the women’s K-1 200m event in the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Summer Olympics. Not confining herself to the K-1 200m event, she also claimed a bronze in Rio and triumphed in Tokyo for the K-2 500m event with her cohort Caitlin Regal, alongside securing the gold in the individual K-1 500m event. Her historic triumphs earned her the distinction of being the first New Zealand female to bag multiple medals at the same Olympic games. Carrington is poised for further success in her fourth Olympic stint this year, spearheading the team and contending across all three disciplines in K1, K2, and K4 events.
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