With 40 sports, 206 nations and the spectacular backdrop of Paris, this year’s Olympic Games promise non-stop action.
There are so many events to watch, and it can be incredibly difficult to know what to watch, especially since many TV events overlap.
As a fan of the Games since childhood, I have managed to condense a list of must-see events that you should mark on your calendar. If you are particularly interested in patriotism, I have also included the main Team GB sports in which the country has a good chance of securing a gold medal.
All of these events will be broadcast on BBC/iPlayer and Eurosport/Discovery+ in the UK, and on USA Network and Peacock in the US. Check out our viewing guide for more information. We also have a tutorial on how to watch the Olympics in 4K.
Top 5 Olympic Events Not to Miss
Paris Opening Ceremony
When? – Friday, July 26, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. BST/1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT
From James Bond and the ‘Queen’ skydiving into the London Stadium in 2012 to the Olympic cauldron lit by a flaming arrow in Barcelona in 1992, every Opening Ceremony delivers spectacular moments that will go down in the history books.
Paris is looking to stand out by hosting its events on the banks of the Seine, taking advantage of the city’s magnificent skyline and iconic monuments. You’ll be able to see all the athletes parading during the parade, and there are strong rumors that superstar Celine Dion will make a triumphant return to the stage.
No matter what sport you follow, the opening ceremony is an event not to be missed.
Simone Biles in women’s gymnastics
When? – Starting Sunday, July 28 at 8:30am BST/3:30am ET/12:30pm PT
Simone Biles, one of the greatest athletes of all time, will represent the United States in the team and individual gymnastics events. The athlete already holds seven medals from Rio and Tokyo, as well as 23 world titles. Many of the moves are named after her because they are very complex and had never been attempted before.
In Tokyo, she withdrew from several events to focus on her mental health. But now, with more experience and a huge audience to perform in front of, we could be seeing history being made.
Here are the events that Simone could very well participate in – the finals being, of course, subject to her qualification:
- Simon Biles and Team USA qualify – Sunday, July 28 at 8:30 a.m. BST/3:30 a.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT
- Women’s Team Final – Tuesday 30 July at 5.15pm BST/12.15pm ET/9.15am PT
- Women’s All-Around Final – Thursday 1 August at 5:15pm BST/12:15pm ET/9:15am PT
- Women’s Vault Final – Saturday 3 August at 3.20pm BST/10.20am ET/7.20am PT
- Women’s Uneven Bars Final – Saturday 4 August at 2:40pm BST/9:40am ET/6:40am PT
- Women’s Balance Beam Final – Monday 5 August at 11:36 BST/6:36 ET/3:36 PT
- Women’s Floor Exercise Final – Monday 5 August at 1:20pm BST/8:20am ET/5:20am PT
Women’s Athletics 100m Sprint and 4 x 100m Relay
When? – Saturday 3 August 2024 at 8:20pm BST/3:20pm ET/12:20pm PT (100m), and Friday 9 August at 6:30pm BST/1:30pm ET/10am PT (4x100m relay)
While past competitions have focused primarily on men’s races with record holder Usain Bolt, the women’s races are going to be incredibly exciting this year.
Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is back on the track for her final Olympics, and the little rocket will be hoping to finish on a high note by beating Jamaican team-mate Shericka Jackson and – of course – American Sha’Carri Richardson, the fastest woman in the world this year. Team GB’s fastest woman, Dina Asher-Smith, will also give her a run for her money (literally).
Many sprinters will have their eyes set on the world record of 10.49 seconds, set by Florence Griffith Joyner in 1988. Athletes will also have to join forces for the team relay, which has often seen some of the best sprinters struggle to pass the baton.
LeBron James returns to basketball in Paris
When? – Starting Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 4:15 PM BST/11:15 AM ET/8:15 AM PT
LeBron James, one of the best basketball players in the world, is back on the court. His last Olympics were in 2012.
At 39, James is a four-time NBA MVP and two-time gold medalist. With him, Team USA hopes to fend off stiff competition from Germany, France, Canada and Australia. He will also be one of Team USA’s standard-bearers.
Here are all the games LeBron James is currently confirmed to play in – this does not include the Finals, as they have not been determined at the time of writing:
- Serbia vs USA – Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 4:15 PM BST/11:15 AM ET/8:15 AM PT
- United States v South Sudan – Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. BST/3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. ET
- Puerto Rico v United States – Saturday 3 August 2024 at 16:15 BST/11:15 ET/8:15 PT
Andy Murray’s Last Tennis Tournament
When? – From Friday 2nd August 2024, time to be confirmed
After pulling out of Wimbledon due to injury, Scottish tennis legend Andy Murray has confirmed his final breath will be at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he will compete in the men’s doubles tournament with Dan Evans. He had pulled out of the singles tournament just before the Games began.
Murray has already won two Olympic gold medals, but this year he will face stiff competition from long-time rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
5 Olympic sports Team GB could win
The UK has an impressive record at the Olympics. Team GB’s best ever tally came in Rio, where they finished second with 67 medals, ahead only of sporting superpower the United States.
So there are plenty of names to watch who could win another title.
Tom Daley competes in his fifth Olympic diving competition
When? – Monday, July 29, 2024 at 10:00 BST/5:00 ET/2:00 PT
After winning his first ever gold medal at Tokyo 2021, Tom Daley will begin his fifth Olympic appearance in the 10m synchronized platform event alongside Noah Williams.
Daley first competed at the Olympics at the age of 14 in Beijing. Since then he has won more than six medals and is a favourite for the Great Britain team. He was also chosen as one of the flag bearers for the opening ceremony.
Keely Hodgkinson on her way to athletics gold
When? – Starting Friday, August 2 at 6:45pm BST/1:45pm ET/10:45am PT
Keely Hodgkinson, 22, is hoping to dominate the middle distance competition this year for Team GB. In Tokyo she won silver and set a new national record, beating the one set by Kelly Holmes in 1995.
Just five days ago, she broke her own record and took the world rankings at the Diamond League in London, running the course in 1:54.61. She is in great form and will be one to watch in the athletics stadium.
The series will begin on Friday, August 2. If she reaches the final, it will take place on Monday, August 5 at 8:45pm BST.
Josh Kerr to face rival in men’s 1500m
When? – Starting Friday, August 2, 2024 at 10:05 BST/5:05 ET/2:00 PT
Josh Kerr has a long-standing rivalry with Norwegian runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen, with the Briton winning the title at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last year.
He won bronze in Tokyo and this time the athlete is looking to secure a victory for Team GB in athletics. If he manages to reach the final, the show will air on Tuesday 6 August at 19:50 BST.
Adam Peaty seeks third breaststroke gold
When? – Saturday 27 July 2024 at time to be confirmed (preliminaries), Saturday 28 July 2024 at 20:44 BST/15:44 ET/12:30 PT (final)
Adam Peaty has dominated the men’s 100m breaststroke at the Olympics for years. Although the swimmer has struggled with injuries and mental health issues in recent years, he is eager to win his third consecutive gold medal in the race.
Sky Brown eyes second Olympic skateboarding medal
When? – Sunday 28 July 2024 from 11:00 BST/6:00 ET/3:00 PT
Sky Brown made her Olympic debut in Tokyo at the age of thirteen. She taught herself how to skateboard, learning through YouTube.
She won a bronze medal in the last competition. Can the athlete surpass herself and win gold this time?
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