With 40 sports, 206 nations and the spectacular backdrop of Paris, this year’s Olympic Games promise non-stop action.
There are so many events to watch, and it can be incredibly overwhelming to know what to tune into – especially as many televised events clash with one another.
As a fan of the Games since childhood, I’ve managed to condense a list of the must-see events that you should mark on your calendar. If you’re particularly interested in getting patriotic, I’ve also included the top Team GB sports that the country stands a good chance of getting a gold medal in.
All these events will be on BBC/iPlayer and Eurosport/Discovery+ in the UK, and USA Network and Peacock in the US. Check out our watch guide for information – we also have a tutorial for how to watch the Olympics in 4K.
5 best Olympic events you should watch
Paris opening ceremony
When? – Friday 26 July 2024 at 6:30pm BST/1:30pm ET/10:30am PT
From James Bond and the ‘Queen’ skydiving into the stadium in London 2012 to the Olympic cauldron being lit by a flaming arrow in Barcelona 1992, every opening ceremony offers spectacular moments that will mark the history books.
Paris is planning on standing out by hosting its events down the River Seine, making use of the city’s beautiful skyline and iconic landmarks. You’ll get to see all the athletes during the parade, and there are strong rumours that superstar Celine Dion will be making a triumphant return to the stage.
No matter what sport you follow, the opening ceremony is one not to miss.
Simone Biles in the women’s gymnastics
When? – Starting from Sunday 28 July at 8:30am/BST/3:30am ET/12:30am PT
One of the greatest athletes of all time, Simone Biles will compete for the USA in both the team and individual events for gymnastics. The athlete already holds seven medals from Rio and Tokyo, and 23 world titles. She has numerous moves named after her, as they’re so complex and had never been attempted before.
In Tokyo, she withdrew from several events to prioritise her mental health. Now though, she has more experience and a huge crowd to perform in front of, so we could see history being made.
Here are the events that Simone may very well compete in – the finals are, of course, pending her qualification:
- Simon Biles and Team USA qualifying – Sunday, 28 July at 8:30am/BST/3:30am ET/12:30am PT
- Women’s team final – Tuesday 30 July at 5:15 BST/12:15pm ET/9:15am PT
- Women’s all-around final – Thursday 1 August at 5:15 BST/12:15pm ET/9:15am PT
- Women’s vault final – Saturday 3 August at 3:20pm BST/10:20am ET/7:20am PT
- Women’s uneven bars final – Saturday 4 August at 2:40pm BST/9:40am ET/6:40am PT
- Women’s balance beam final – Monday 5 August at 11:36am BST/6:36am ET/3:36am PT
- Women’s floor exercise final – Monday 5 August at 1:20pm BST/8:20am ET/5:20am PT
Women’s athletics 100m sprint and 4x100m relay
When? – Saturday 3 August 2024 at 8:20pm BST/3:20pm ET/12:20pm PT (100m), and Friday 9 August at 6:30pm BST/1:30pm ET/10am PT (4x100m relay)
While past competitions were very much focused on the men’s races with record-breaker Usain Bolt, the women’s races are going to be incredibly exciting this year.
Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is back on the track for her final Olympics, and the pocket rocket is looking to go out on a high by beating her fellow Jamaican teammate Shericka Jackson, and – of course – USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson, the world’s fastest woman this year. Team GB’s fastest woman, Dina Asher-Smith, will also be giving her a run for her money (literally).
Many sprinters will have their eyes on the world record of 10.49 seconds, set by Florence Griffith Joyner back in 1988. The athletes will also have to join forces for the team relay, which has often seen some of the best sprinters struggle to get the baton around.
LeBron James returning to basketball in Paris
When? – From Sunday 28 July 2024 at 4:15pm BST/11:15am ET/8:15am PT
One of the best basketball players in the world, LeBron James, is returning to the court – his last Olympic Games was back in 2012.
At age 39, James is a four-time NBA MVP and two-time gold medallist. With him onboard, Team USA is hoping to fend off fierce competition from Germany, France, Canada and Australia. He’ll also be one of the flag bearers for Team USA.
Here are all the games LeBron James is currently confirmed to compete in – this doesn’t include the finals, as they’ve not been determined at the time of writing:
- Serbia Vs United States – Sunday 28 July 2024 at 4:15pm BST/11:15am ET/8:15am PT
- United States Vs South Sudan – Wednesday 31 July 2024 at 8pm BST/3pm ET/12pm ET
- Puerto Rico Vs United States – Saturday 3 August 2024 at 4:15pm BST/11:15am ET/8:15am PT
Andy Murray’s last tennis tournament
When? – From Friday 2 August 2024, Time TBC
After pulling out of Wimbledon due to an injury, Scottish tennis legend Andy Murray has confirmed that his swansong will be the Paris 2024 Olympics Games, where he’ll take part in the men’s doubles tournament with Dan Evans. He withdrew from the singles tournament just before the Games began.
Murray has already won two golds at the Olympic Games, though this year he’ll be facing stiff competition from his long-standing rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
5 Olympic sports Team GB could win
The UK has an impressive record at the Olympics. Team GB’s best medal count was in Rio, where it landed second place with 67 medals, only being bested by the sporting superpower of the USA.
As such, there are plenty of names to watch out for who could pick up another title.
Tom Daley’s fifth Olympic diving competition
When? – Monday 29 July 2024 at 10am BST/5am ET/2am PT
After clinching his first-ever Gold in Tokyo in 2021, Tom Daley will begin his fifth Olympic outing with the 10m synchronised platform event alongside Noah Williams.
Daley first entered the Olympics aged 14, making his debut in Beijing. Since then, he’s tallied over six medals and is a fan favourite of Team GB – he has also been chosen as one of the flag bearers for the opening ceremony.
Keely Hodgkinson going for gold in athletics
When? – From Friday 2 August at 6:45pm BST/1:45pm ET/10:45am PT
22-year-old Keely Hodgkinson is looking to dominate the middle-distance field this year for Team GB. In Tokyo, she finished with a silver medal and a new record time for the country – breaking the one set by Kelly Holmes in 1995.
Just five days ago, she broke her own record and set a world lead at the London Diamond League, running the race in 1:54.61. She’s on top form, and one to watch in the athletics stadium.
The heats begin on Friday 2 August. If she reaches the final, this will take place on Monday 5 August at 8:45pm BST.
Josh Kerr to face his rival in men’s 1500m race
When? – From Friday 2 August 2024 at 10:05am BST/5:05am ET/2:00am PT
Josh Kerr has a longstanding rivalry with Norwegian runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen, with the Brit just snatching the title at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last year.
He claimed Bronze in Tokyo, and this time the athlete is looking to secure a win for Team GB in athletics. If he gets to the final, this will air on Tuesday 6 August at 7:50pm BST.
Adam Peaty looking for a third gold medal in breaststroke
When? – Saturday 27 July 2024 with time TBC (heats), Saturday 28 July 2024 at 8:44pm BST/3:44pm ET/12:30pm PT (final)
Adam Peaty has spent years dominating the men’s 100m breaststroke race at the Olympics. While the swimmer has faced injuries and mental health struggles in the past few years, he’s raring to go and win his third successive gold in this race.
Sky Brown aiming for second Olympic medal in skateboarding
When? – Sunday 28 July 2024 from 11am BST/6am ET/3am PT
Sky Brown made her Olympic debut in Tokyo at just thirteen years old. She was self-taught in the sport of skateboarding, having learnt from YouTube.
She landed a bronze medal in the last competition – so can the athlete step up and win gold this time?
