Ever since July 26, 2024, people from all over the world have been hyped up to watch the 2024 Olympics. This global sports event has brought athletes from each country to Paris to compete for medals in 32 different sports. To recap, the USA earned gold, winning 126 medals, this year. A great applause for our top athlete swimmer, Katie Ledecky, who led the team to victory, and Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history.
In Paris, not only were the Olympics launched, but the Paralympics took place where a lot of athletes with disabilities won their first medals in a variety of sports. The Paralympics began in 1948, giving athletes with disadvantages an opportunity to compete. Yorba Linda High School’s Track and Field coach, Mr. Stirley Jones, qualified for the Paralympics and was able to travel to Paris. Due to an unexpected injury, he sadly could not compete in the Men’s 100-meter dash. Still, he gives insight by stating, “It’s so hard to put it in words… The work that everybody puts in to get to that point is the best feeling. It was extraordinary just how the ceremony was performed and the country gave a wonderful presentation.”
Held every four years, the worldwide event will be brought to Los Angeles, California in 2028, with 50+ Olympic and Paralympic sports. A YLHS student, Joon Kim (11), thinks, “It will be fun watching, and I’m interested in the USA’s Basketball team lineup.” This is the third time LA has held the Olympics, and many Californians are excited about hosting this competition. As of now, the Olympics Website has already been updated with Los Angeles headlines, dates, and other information to come. Not only was this website launched, but CNBC Television News posted an LA Olympics Game Plan video spotlighting Tom Cruise. He received the honor to officially close out the 2024 Olympics and pulled off a stunt featuring the popular film series, “Mission Impossible”. The LA 2028 organizers are also sharing about volunteer programs for 18-year-olds at the start of the Olympic year. In four years, all current high schoolers are eligible to volunteer. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance that does not come around every year.
The Olympics program has officially announced that there will be five new sports in 2028, including Flag Football and Lacrosse. Both sports are participated in at Yorba Linda High School. Eva Benemie (10), who is part of the YLHS Women’s Lacrosse team, talks about her happiness for the new sport saying, “I was very excited to hear lacrosse is being added to the Olympics. It’s a great opportunity for people to be able to play such an amazing and competitive sport in the Olympics!” Many other YLHS students are looking forward to watching the 2028 Olympics, especially with it being held in Los Angeles. Even though the first Olympic Games were held in the 8th Century BC, the Olympics are one of the only global competitions that are fortunately still alive to this day.
