Paris 2024 Olympics: Lure of Zorro, a cereal obsession, gladiator sports and pastries - the most memorable quotes
For more than two weeks, the Paris 2024 Olympics delivered an unparalleled sporting spectacle, captivating audiences worldwide.
Athletes from around the globe competed in different sports, showcasing their raw emotions, energy, passion and determination
While the athletes' physical feats captivated viewers worldwide as they pursued Olympic glory, some also left a lasting impression with their words, adding to the magic and spirit of the Games.
As Paris 2024 fades into the past, let's revisit some of the most memorable quotes from the 33rd Summer Games.
Paris 2024 Olympics - the finest quotes
"A big thing that gets people initially involved is that they want to be Zorro or they want to be Jack Sparrow or something like that. But then, once you get into the sport, you're not really thinking about being a pirate anymore." - Blake Broszus (CAN) on the long-lasting appeal of fencing.
“If you want to feel pretty and still punch a guy in the face, it’s amazing.”- Boxer Caitlin Parker (AUS) on wearing make-up while competing.
"If there's anything worse than death, I would say it's the group of that."- Germany women's basketball coach Lisa Thomaidis (CAN) on being drawn in a tricky Group C.
"I’ve got my Captain Crunch socks on. I’m going to come with a different cereal every fight. You’ll have to stay tuned to see what’s tomorrow. I’ve got Frosted Flakes out here, they’re in my arsenal.”- Cereal-loving boxer Jahmal Harvey (USA) after beating Luiz Gabriel Oliveira (BRA).
US boxer Jahmal Harvey at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
"You live for those moments. Down two, as a little kid in the backyard, underneath the clothesline in Australia, you imagine yourself in those moments being able to hit a big shot at an Olympic Games."- Basketball player Patty Mills (AUS) after forcing overtime against Serbia.
"You're literally fighting another man, to the death, for six minutes. It's the closest thing to gladiator sport that we have. Countries or provinces or cities that are wrestling-rich will see those values. It breeds great people." - Wrestler Myles Nazem Amine (SMR) extols the benefits of his sport.
“I love Australia to bits, mate. I really envisioned myself winning that gold medal for Australia. You shoot for the stars, right? I don't believe in God or that sort of stuff but you hope some angel or something catches you up there. But unfortunately, it's just smashed deep in my face.”- Boxer Harry Garside (AUS) following his defeat by Richard Kovacs (HUN).
“In the past, they would call me ‘short arms, short legs’. I just couldn’t grow taller, what can I do?”- Table tennis player Ni Xia Lian (LUX), 61, accepts her limitations after losing to world No. 1 Sun Yingsha (CHN).
Xia Lian NI of Luxembourg at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“I went to her graveyard the day before Paris, and I was sure there would be some signs. The first sign was my accreditation number was her birthday number. I said, 'OK, wow, this is not by accident’. Literally, her birthday is my accreditation number. A few more signs, I saw 19:56 on the clock, and it was her year of birth. That’s how I believe she is with me, and this gold is for her."- Shooter Damir Mikec (SRB) got good omens about his mother, who died when he was 19 after inspiring him to take up the sport.
“For me, it’s like being in a church. My worship might not be my singing; it’s in my feet jumping over a bar.”- Nicola Olyslagers (AUS) takes a leap of faith in the women's high jump.
"For anyone who needs some inspiration, break your neck and you can win Olympic gold. I was in a lot of pain, could not move, could not walk - but that was two years ago."- Rower Marloes Oldenburg (NED) recovered from a serious mountain bike accident to win gold in the women's four.
"If someone offered us the silver medal before, I think we would all sign. In blood."- Poland coach Nikola Grbic (SRB) is philosophical about defeat in the men's volleyball final.
"Historic. A rollercoaster of emotions and a lot of pastries. I ate a lot of pastries."- The first Olympic gold medallist in men's breaking, B-Boy Phil Wizard (CAN).
"When you are five goals ahead and 7,000 French people boo, I don't think there are many other feelings that are better than that."- Kristian Sæverås (NOR) after Norway beat France 27-22 in men's handball.