There’s a lot to keep track of during the 2024 Paris Olympics. As much as you want to watch everything, it’s just not physically possible. Also, France is six hours ahead of the eastern time zone and nine hours ahead of the pacific time zone, so you may be asleep during some of the Games’ biggest moments. However, to help you prepare your schedule and manage your time, we’ve gathered a helpful list of the most anticipated events featuring our favorite Black athletes.
Sunday, July 28: Gymnastics - Women’s Qualifiers
Simone Biles starts her quest for more Olympic gold in the women’s gymnastics qualifiers. Let’s assume for a second that she qualifies for the individual all-around competition. That takes place Aug. 1. We’re also looking for her to lead her teammates in the team final on July 30.
Sunday, July 28: Men’s Basketball
The star-studded U.S. men’s basketball team starts their competition against reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Serbian team. As experts and analysts have repeatedly told us, the international influence of stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama has closed the gap between the USA and the rest of the world. Here’s hoping we see theme in the gold medal game on Aug. 10.
Monday, July 29: Women’s Basketball
The U.S. women’s basketball team is going for a record-breaking eighth straight gold medal. While there was some controversy about who was named to the team, we have complete faith in A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, Brittney Griner and the rest of these amazing women. The gold medal game is scheduled for Aug. 11.
Saturday, Aug. 3: Track & Field - Women’s 100m
We are all in on Sha’Carri Richardson finishing her Olympics comeback story with a gold in the women’s 100m. Hopefully, she and her teammates will also be major contenders in the relays.
Sunday, Aug. 4: Track & Field - Men’s 100m
Noah Lyles is doing double duty in the men’s 100m and the men’s 200m. If he also competes in one or more relays, he could leave Paris with a suitcase full of medals.
Thursday, Aug. 8: Track & Field - Women’s 400m Hurdles
There’s a very good chance that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone could break her own world record that she just set at the U.S. Olympic Trials. If you haven’t seen her compete, it is a masterclass to watch the way she dominates the competition. She’s not flashy, she just goes on the track and runs way faster than everyone else. We know it’s not effortless, but that’s how she makes it look.
Friday, Aug. 9: Breaking
Breaking makes its Olympics debut in Paris with competitions in the B-Boy and B-Girl categories. When hip-hop culture started making its way into the mainstream, even the most diehard fan couldn’t have imagined a day when it would be part of the Olympics. That means everyone in Gen X gets to say “I told you so” to the people who thought it was a fad.
The 2024 Paris Olympics will air live July 26 — Aug.11 on NBC and Peacock.