Everything you need to know about the Paris Olympics

The 2024 Olympics officially start tomorrow in Paris, and the employees at Ollie's Takes are slightly excited. Realistically, the Tokyo Olympics were a flop with zero fans attending the games so we have essentially been waiting eight years for the Paris Olympics to come around.

From athletes swimming in the Seine to superstars like Simone Biles, Novak Djokovic, and LeBron James representing their nations, to the new sport "Breaking" and Australians talking themselves up pre-competition, the 2024 Olympics promise to be nothing short of elite.

Here at Ollie's Takes, we'll provide you with everything you need to know heading into the 2024 Olympics including Aussies to look out for, views on the new sport and some events you simply cannot miss. Read along for my 14 takes on the 2024 Paris Olympics and stay tuned to the Instagram over the next two weeks where I will post even more questionable takes.

Take #1: Opening Ceremony Could Be a Major Misread

The Opening Ceremony is set to take place early tomorrow morning on boats along the river Seine, featuring a 6km boat ride. Where have I seen this before? Oh yeah, the 2022 AFL Grand Final Parade where players were trapped on boats for the parade.

I don’t think the Olympics will be as much of a misread as the AFL parade. The Seine and Paris have a bit more to offer than a grey day on the brown Yarra River in Melbourne. But let's see.

Take #2: You Gotta Watch the Tillies

The perennial 4th-place Matildas are looking to go at least one better this Olympics compared to Tokyo and the World Cup in 2023. The Spanish will be tough to beat, and without their star player Sam Kerr, the Tillies have it all to do ahead of the tournament.

The Matildas opened their campaign terribly last night, suffering a 3-0 loss to Germany. There is a lot of pressure lying with Mary Fowler, the young Man City striker who is expected to do big things. She has solid support with Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord always ones to watch but the team will have to improve on their opening performance.

Take #3: Breaking Looks Bizarre, But Jeff Dunne Can Dance

The new sport this year is called breaking, essentially breakdancing with a few different rules, including the dancers not knowing which song will be played.

There's an Aussie named Jeff Dunne who is a chance to do well in the competition. Breaking doesn’t start until the final few days of the games, but make sure you keep an eye on the 16-year-old Dunne when he gets his opportunity.

Take #4: Speed Climbing Is the Best Sport in the World

Ah, it's that time again where I get to watch one of my favourite sports: speed climbing. Introduced at the Tokyo Games, speed climbing is extremely quick and a great spectator sport. The way these athletes glide up the wall is a joy to watch.

Alberto Gines Lopez is the reigning champ in the men's competition, but having finished 5th in the qualifier series in Budapest last month, this year's competition is anyone's game.

Take #5: Carlitos and Iga Tough to Beat, De Minaur gonna Struggle

Much like the London 2012 Olympics, the 2024 Paris Olympics will see a tennis tournament take place at a Grand Slam location just a month after the Grand Slam happened. Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, winners of the French Open, are unsurprisingly my players to beat. I simply can't see anyone beating Iga outside of possibly Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, but even that is a stretch. Alcaraz will face some tests too, no doubt, from the usual suspects like Djokovic, Medvedev, and Zverev, but with Sinner out of the tournament, the Spaniard is again the one to beat.

The Demon returns to the court at Roland Garros having pulled out of the WImbledon Quarter Finals only a few weeks ago. I think he is coming back way too soon and with this difficult prep, De Minaur will struggle to medal.

Take #6: You Must Tune into Djokovic vs Nadal

I think this draw may have been rigged to set up the best clay-court player ever against the best tennis player ever for potentially the last time. The Djoker and Rafa are on a collision course in the second round, and assuming they get through the first round, this promises to be a moment of the games.

The pair haven't played each other since the French Open quarter-final in 2022, which Nadal won in 4 sets. Nadal has hardly played in the last couple of years, and with both players reaching the end of their careers, it will truly be a blessing to watch them battle one final time.

Take #7: Jess Fox Will Defend Her Title

Jessica Fox is Australia's flag bearer alongside Eddie Ockenden (who?). Fox is looking to defend her gold medal from Tokyo. I have a feeling we will see Fox defend her gold medal in Paris and/or win the K1 event. Fox enters the tournament as the world champion in the K1 and the defending gold medallist in the C1.

Fox will start her gold medal defence on day 3 of the games.

Take #8: Caleb Dressel to Dominate Kyle Chalmers

The physical specimen Caleb Dressel is hitting the Parisian pools, looking to back up his 5 gold medals from the Tokyo Olympics. I think he will be too big, too good, and simply too fast for Kyle Chalmers in the 100m freestyle.

Take #9: The Ariarne Titmus and Katie Ledecky Rivalry Continues

The Titmus-Ledecky rivalry is planning a second installment in Paris, with both taking home two gold medals each in Tokyo. The rivalry continued during the off-season with both winning two gold medals each at the 2023 World Championships.

Ledecky is better over the distance and unbeatable in the 1500m, whereas Titmus excels in the 400m, an event she has dominated in recent years, not losing a major championship final since 2018. Ridiculous.

Take #10: Aussies Enter the Rugby 7s as Favourites

The rugby sevens men's tournament has already started prior to the games officially kicking off, which I disagree with. There should be no sport played before the games officially begin. Yeah, yeah, yeah, scheduling, but come on. Find a way to make it work.

The Aussie men in the 7s have made a great start to the tournament and are undefeated heading into the semi-finals on Sunday, including a great win over gold medal favourites Argentina in the group stages.

The Aussie women's sevens are the reigning World Cup champions from 2022 and also won gold at Rio 2016. The women's sevens kicks off on Monday after the men's competition, with the Aussies a serious chance to bring home a gold medal.

Take #11: Watch Some Aussies Skateboarding

Skateboarding was introduced at the Tokyo Games, and while it was rattling seeing young teenagers competing at the Olympics, it was pretty cool.

I'm not an avid watcher of skateboarding outside the Olympics, but there are apparently a few young Aussies with a chance to medal in these games. It looks like 14-year-old Chloe Covell and San Diego-born Keegan Palmer are the best chances for an Australian medal. Covell is the youngest X Games gold medallist in women's street skateboarding, and Palmer is the defending gold medallist in the men's park competition.

Take #12: Don't Forget BMX Freestyle, Fencing, Karate, and Surfing

Logan Martin has amassed half a million social media followers and is looking to defend his gold medal in Paris. The unknown Aussie in Tokyo is now (almost) a household name. He got his gear stolen in his first couple of days in Paris, so let's hope he can find a bike and do well in these games. Six fencing events across both men's and women's disciplines.

I'm not even going to try to explain what that means. Karate and surfing also exist. Will I be watching? Hmmm, I was going to say no, but there could be a late night with nothing better on, so I might indulge in karate and surfing at some point.

Take #13: Enjoy a Non-American Olympics While You Can

The next Olympics are in Los Angeles, and as much as America will put on a great show, they will be annoying to listen to for two weeks. So, enjoy la France while you can. The next games will have several new and returning sports, including cricket, softball, baseball, flag football (USA's new excuse to win gold in a sport similar to the NFL), and squash.

Take #14: Other Athletes to watch 

Sha'Carri Richardson is going to compete in her first Olympic Games after not being allowed to compete in Tokyo

• Noah Lyles and Sha'Carri Richardson - the reigning 100m world champions

• Nina Kennedy - The world champion and my mates best friend is looking to win gold in the Pole Vault for the Aussies

• Mollie O'Callaghan - Aussie favourite for the 100m freestyle

• Lebron James - Mans final Olympics. Appreciate the greatness while it is still performing

• Simone Biles - The GOAT of Gymnastics is looking to overcome the disappointment of Tokyo and return to winning ways. Something tells me she will find a way to end up on the top of the podium several times these games

• Torrie Lewis - Australia's fastest female sprinter ever

• Tina Rahimi - Genuine chance to medal for Australia in the boxing

• Alex Yee - Elite UK triathlete favourite to win gold

• Eliud Kipchoge - The undisputed goat of the marathon looking to win his third gold medal at the ripe age of 39…

• Sun Yingsha - Looking to continue China's record of never losing the women's table tennis singles event

Stay connected on the Instagram for plenty more takes on this year's Olympics. Chat soon.

OT