This Week In Good Black News: Paris 2024 Olympics Edition
The Paris 2024 Olympics have captivated people worldwide with 329 events in 32 sports. On Friday (July 26), the games commenced with a phenomenal opening ceremony curated by the host country. It included LeBron James and Coco Gauff as flag bearers representing the USA, performances from Lady Gaga and Celine Dion, and track legend Carl Lewis and tennis icon Serena Williams carrying the Olympic flame down the Seine river for the cauldron lighting ceremony.
The first week of the games has gotten off to an amazing start. If you canât keep up with all the action, here is BETâs Paris Summer Olympics round-up for week one.
Snoop Dogg Is the Biggest Star of the Olympics
Nobody is enjoying the Paris Summer Olympics more than Snoop Dogg. The hip-hop legend has been serving as a Special Correspondent for NBC/Peacock and is having the time of his life. Heâs appeared on the networkâs âPrimetime in Paris,â carried the Olympic torch in his signature style, and has been seen at numerous events as Team USAâs biggest cheerleader. Snoop has even swam with Michael Phelps.
In an interview, Snoop told Forbes about his plans to cover the games as a correspondent.
âWeâre planning on shaking it up in many different ways, bringing my flavor. Itâs the Olympics, yâall. This is the biggest sporting event. We only get it once every four years, so weâre going to make the most of it,â Snoop explained.
Be on the lookout for coverage from Snoop with his one-of-a-kind commentary.
Simone Biles Is the Greatest of All Time
In gymnastics, there is only one GOAT, and her name is Simone Biles. The superstar gymnast claimed her second Olympic all-around title Thursday night (August 1) in grand fashion with a score of In total, Biles now has nine Olympic medals, six of which are the most in history, male or female. Brazilâs Rebecca Andrade won the silver, and Sunisa Lee, Biles's teammate, won the bronze.
After the disappointment of the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, the Womenâs Gymnastics Team launched a ârevenge tourâ planned for the Paris Games that has already culminated in a gold medal for the squad. Led by Biles and her teammates, Lee, Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera. and Jade Carey, the US proved why they were the favorites to win the top prize.
After tallying a total score of 171.296 with dynamic performances from each gymnast, the US defeated Italy, which won the silver medal by almost six points. Brazil took the bronze medal. Their first Gold medal victory since 2016 was the fourth time Team USA claimed gold in the event.
Biles has won eight medals, including five golds, in the Olympic Games, making her the most decorated American gymnast in the competition's history.
Lauren Scruggs Becomes the First Black Woman to Win a Gold Medal in Fencing
Black girls fence, too! On Sunday (July 28), Lauren Scruggs first made Olympic history when she became the first Black woman to win an individual medal in fencing. In the team foil event, the 21-year-old Harvard University student won the gold medal, along with her teammates Lee Kiefer, Jacqueline Dubrovich, and alternate Maia Weintraub, making her the first Black woman to win multiple medals in fencing. Itâs also the first time the US has won gold at the event.Â
Speaking with BET.com, Scruggs expressed what she felt during the historic moment she will never forget. âI mean, it's just kind of crazy. Like, I just can't believe it, honestly. Itâs crazy,â Scruggs said.
She also spoke about how she could feel the crowd's energy during the competition.
âIt was pretty intense out there and very loud. Obviously, everyone was super nervous. So at a certain point, it's really about going on energy and remembering your technique,â Scruggs said. I just tried to bring the energy to every match.â
The Men Gymnastics Team Medals For the First Time Since 2008
For the first time since the 2008 Summer Games, the US Menâs Gymnastics team won the bronze medal with a strong showing on Monday (July 29).
Led by Frederick Richard, Asher Hong, Paul Juda, Brody Malone, and Stephen Nedoroscik, the team scored higher on 14 of 18 routines, pulled off the second-highest team scores on vault (44.032) and still rings (42.732), and scored the third-highest on horizontal bar (42.365).
The US finished with a team score of 257.793. Japan, which won the gold, scored 259.594, and China finished with the silver, scoring 259.062.
AâJa Wilson and Womenâs Team Look Unbeatable
The Womenâs Team hasnât lost an Olympic game since 1992, and it doesnât look like theyâll be defeated any time soon. The team is looking to win their eighth straight gold medal, which is unprecedented in any Olympic sport. With a 102-76 win over Japan on Monday (July 29), the team seems to be a lock to continue its gold streak.
A'ja Wilson led the team with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Breanna Stewart finished with 22 points and eight rebounds, and Chelsea "The Point God"Gray chipped in with 13 assists.
LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry Are On Gold Mission
LeBron James and Stephen Curry have the Menâs Team focused on winning gold medals with two straight blowout wins. After missing all of the teamâs exhibition games with a calf injury, Kevin Durant showed why he has the most points in Team USA history. In an incredible performance against Serbia on Sunday (July 28), Durant made eight of his nine shots, including five three-pointers, scoring 23 points off the bench in the 110-84 victory.
On Wednesday (July 31), Team USA defeated South Sudan 103-86. Bam Adebayo scored 18 points and pulled down seven rebounds.
The teamâs next game is on August 3 (Saturday) against Puerto Rico.
Flavor Flav Sponsors Womenâs Polo Team
Another hip-hop icon whoâs been a fixture during the first week of the Olympics is Flavor Flav. The Public Enemy co-founder is not only attending the games but is also sponsoring the US Womenâs Polo Team. After U.S. captain Maggie Steffens posted on Instagram about the teamâs struggles, Flavâs manager brought it to his attention.
âAs a girl dad and supporter of all womenâs sports - imma personally sponsor you my girl,,, whatever you need. And imma sponsor the whole team,â Flav wrote in response.
Because of his efforts, including a financial contribution to the team, Flav has signed a five-year sponsorship deal as the official hype man for the USA Water Polo Women's and Men's National Teams. He aims â to elevate the visibility and excitement surrounding water polo in the United States.â
On Wednesday (July 31), Team USA defeated Italy 10-3, moving to 2-1 in group play with one match remaining.