Here’s a closer look at some of the most exciting contenders to watch, including those who've alredaty won!
José Torres Gil Takes Olympic Gold In ‘Best Ever’ Men’s BMX Freestyle Final. The Argentinian rider who won his country’s first individual gold medal in a cycling discipline with a stunning initial score of 94.82. “I couldn’t understand it, total craziness, it brought tears to my eyes,” was how Torres Gil explained hearing that he would be crowned Olympic champion at the Place de la Concorde, the temporary home of the Urban Sports Pa
Brian Daniel Pintado (Ecuador) takes Gold & Caio Bonfim (Brazil) takes Silver - Athletics
Ecuador's Brian Pintado won the first athletics Olympic gold medal of the Paris Games on Thursday with victory in the men's 20-kilometre walk. Brazil's Caio Bonfim improved on his fourth from Rio in 2016 taking silver with Spain's world champion Alvaro Martin taking the bronze.
Mijain Lopez (Cuba) - Greco-Roman Wrestling
41-year-old Cuban wrestler Mijaín López defeated Yasmani Acosta Fernandez of Chile 6-0 in the 130kg final at the Paris Olympics. With this victory, Milain Lopez became the first wrestler to win five gold medals in Olympics, and is also the only athlete to win gold in the same event at five consecutive Games. Now, a video of Lopez announcing his retirement, after defeating Yasmani Acosta Fernandez of Chile 6-0 and securing his fifth gold medal, in an iconic way, has gone viral.
Osmar OLVERA IBARRA (Mexico) - Diving
A New Mexican Olympic Star is born with this class act, who just swept up the Bronze at just 20 years old, the only other competitor to get even close to the China in the Mens 3m Springboard diving. He also achieved Silver in the Men's Synchronised 3m Springboard
Yeison Lopez (Colombia) - Weightlifting
A Colombian is officially the second strongest man in the world, Yeison Lopez, also known as “Goku”, picked up silver in the Men’s Weightlifting 89 kg category.
Ana Patricia Silva Ramos and Edwarda 'Duda' Santos Lisboa (Brazil), Beach Volley
Brazil's Ana Patricia Silva Ramos and Edwarda 'Duda' Santos Lisboa won gold in beach volleyball, beating the Canadian team. Both sets of players argued during the deciding set of the thrilling showdown, followed by a heartwarming moment when the DJ played John Lennon's 'Imagine' to diffuse the situation, sparking mass sing-a-long!
Marileidy Paulino (Dominican Republic) - Athletics
Marileidy Paulino, a sprinter from the Dominican Republic, has taken the track and field world by storm. Specializing in the 400 meters, Paulino clinched a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics and continues to demonstrate her prowess with remarkable performances on the international stage. Her speed, endurance, and unwavering determination make her an inspiration for Latina athletes. On August 9 she cruised through to win Gold for Dominican Republic, breaking the Olympic record.
Beatriz Souza and Brazil's Judo team Beatriz Souza won the Women's +78kg, with silver for Willian Lima in Men's 66kg and Bronze for Larissa Pimenta in the Women's 52kg and for the Mixed Team
Erislandy Alvarez Borges (Cuba) Boxing
The much-anticipated 63.5kg boxing final at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Wednesday, 7 August saw Cuba's Erislandy Alvarez Borges beat France's Sofiane Oumiha 3-2 to earn gold in his Olympic debut in front of a packed crowd at the iconic Roland-Garros Stadium.
Alison dos Santos ( Brazil)- Track and Field
A 400-meter hurdles sprinter, Alison won a bronze at the 2020 Olympics and holds the third fastest time in history for the event. In paris he won another bronze. Some commentators (among them Britain's Denis Lewis) question why Santo is ALWAYS placed in the inside lane away from the other medal contenders and wonder whether, had he been put amongst them, he may have won silver or gold this year.
Dos Santos got bronze at the men’s 400m hurdles in Paris with a time of 47.26. Rai Benjamin from the USA got gold passing through the line in a time of 46.46 seconds, followed by Karsten Warholm of Norway that got silver with 47.06.
Las Leonas - Argentina's Hockey Lionesses
Three time silver medalists, and two time Bronze medallist, Argentina's female hocley time have won medals in most Olympic games. It's no wonder they they have almost legendary status in Argentina, and are hoping to bring back Gold for the first time ever. This year they added another Bronze medal to their collection.
Rebeca Andrade (Brazil) - Gymnastics
Rebeca Andrade made HISTORY! She became the most decorated Brazilian Olympian in Paris with a total of 6 medals. With this, she immortalizes her name as one of the greatest Brazilian athletes. In Paris, she won gold in her individual floor performance with a score of 14.166 . Andrade also got silver in the all around and vault and bronze in the team event representing Brazil. Four years ago, she captivated audiences at the Tokyo Olympics with her elegance, strength, and technical prowess. Last year, she won gold in the women's vault at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp.
Marco Verde (Mexico) - boxing
Marco Verde Alvarez wins silver Welterweight category at the 2024 Paris olympics, making him the first Mexican boxer to receive an olympic silver medal since 1984. The Mexican won two welterweight gold medals in major South American tournaments last year: the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago and the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador.
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (Puerto Rico)- Athletics
The Boricuan took the Bronze medal on Saturday running for Puerto Rico with a 3rd place finish in the women’s 100m hurdles event at the Olympic Games in Paris. Camacho-Quinn ran a 12.36 finishing just behind American Gold Medalist Masai Russell who ran in 12.33. French Silver Medalist Cryena Samba-Mayela ran 12.34. The finish for Camacho-Quinn came 3 years after she won the Gold Medal in this event at the Tokyo games. She also ran in the 2016 Olympics in Rio but failed to medal.
Victor Montalvo (USA)- Breakdancing
A Mexican American breaking (breakdancing) champion, Victor was a favourite in this new Olympic sport, with two Red Bull BC One titles and a gold at the 2022 World Games, but achieved Bronze medal position
Tatiana Weston-Webb & Gabriel Medina (Brazil)- Surfing
Gabriel won a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympic Games. He won the 2014, 2018 and 2021 WSL World Championships, and has the second-most World Titles. Tatiana got the silver medal, after losing a head-to-head competition with Caroline Marks of the U.S. It was the first medal for Brazil in women's surfing since the sport was introduced to the Olympics for the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Aline Ferreira (Brazil) - Wrestling
Brazilian wrestler Aline Ferreira is a powerhouse in her sport. Competing in the heavyweight division, Ferreira's strength and technique have earned her numerous international medals. In Paris, she aims to add an Olympic medal to her collection, showcasing the growing prominence of Brazilian wrestling on the global stage.
Ángel Barajas (Colombia )- Gymnastics
What a great victory for Colombia in the world of Gymnastics. Angel becomes Colombia’s First Olympic Medallist in gymnastics. Barajas, of only 17, won a silver medal in the high bar competition this past August 5th. He was also the youngest medalist in a men’s individual event since 1988. Barajas got the same score as the Olympic champion, Shinnosuke Oka, with the same score 14.533. At the end Oka got a higher execution score.
Adriana Ruano (Guatemala)- Trap Event
Adriano Ruano gets the first gold at the Olympics in Paris for her country, Guatemala. She was a former gymnast who suffered an injury in 2011. In Toyko, she got last place, but in Paris she changed it all. Ruano hit 45 out of 50 targets. the silver went to Italy’s representative Silvana Maria Stanco with 40 points, and the bronze was secured by Australian Penny Smith with 32 points.
Tatiana Renteria (Colombia)- Wrestling
Tatiana Renteria delivered a spectacular performance at the Paris Olympics, securing a bronze medal in the women's freestyle 76kg wrestling category and earning Colombia its fourth medal of the Games. After a challenging semifinal loss to Japan’s Yuka Kagami, Renteria faced Ecuador’s Genesis Rosangela Reasco Valdez in the bronze medal match. In a closely match, Renteria won with a narrow 2-1 victory. Reflecting on her achievement, Renteria expressed: "I knew I had to stay focused on this match, keep fighting because it wasn’t over. I can’t explain the joy I feel in winning this medal; this is for all of Colombia."
Prisca Awiti (Mexico)- Judo
A judoka who recently won Mexico's first silver medal in judo at the 2024 Olympics, Prisca's journey from training at the University of Bath to Olympic success highlights her determination and skill. Alcaraz lost against Slovenia’s Andreja Leski in the women’s final (63kg) judo competition this past Tuesday, July 30th. She placed 17th on her debut in Tokyo.
These Latin American athletes embody the spirit of determination and excellence. As they compete in Paris, they will not only strive for medals but also inspire countless individuals with their remarkable journeys and achievements. The 2024 Olympics promise to be a showcase of their incredible talents, unwavering spirit and true representation of their Latin American roots.
