The adrenaline has been high this summer, with several high-profile tournaments and events falling within months of each other. Alongside annual events such as Wimbledon and the Formula 1 Grand Prix that draw tens of thousands of fans every year, this summer also featured the UEFA European Championships (Euros), the CONMEBOL Copa America, the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 Men’s World Cup, and, most notably, the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games held in Paris. Five writers from //The Tribune// break down their favourite moment from this summer of sports.
UEFA European Championships – Matias Plasencia Sanchez
Spain entered the Euros as one of the dark horses of the competition, despite their illustrious history. Their triumphant run from 2008 until 2012, in which they won two consecutive Euros and a World Cup made them one of the best international squads of all time. But a lot had changed since then—most of the players from that squad had retired, and their Tiki-taka style had aged.
That was until December 2022, when the Spanish Football Federation decided to appoint Luis de la Fuente as the new manager of the Spanish National Team. This new head coach had a different approach from traditional Spanish managers in the past, as he ushered in younger, speedier players like Lamine Yamal and Pedro (Pedri) González López over veterans—a strategy that proved successful. Though Spain was not a tournament favourite, they were able to win all of their group-stage matches, beating highly-ranked teams: Croatia, Albania, and Italy.
They later faced off with Georgia in the Round of 16 and beat them 4-1, leading them to move on to face the home favourites Germany, who they narrowly overcame by scoring a late goal to reach the semi-finals. In a thrilling semi-final matchup, Spain edged out France 2-1, thanks to a spectacular goal from the 16-year-old rising star Yamal. They faced England in the final, where a late goal secured Spain’s fourth European Championship title. As a Spaniard, watching my country secure its first major triumph in 12 years was undoubtedly the highlight of my summer.
Biles and Chiles on the Olympic podium – Lialah Mavani
This summer, as everyone around me became consumed by the Olympics, I was equally captivated. Like many others, my eyes were focused on the gymnastics events and on watching Simone Biles, following the scrutiny she had received for withdrawing from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
I was particularly in awe of Biles’ sportsmanship toward her competitors despite the adversity she has faced. One moment that stood out to me was during the floor competition. After Biles and her teammate Jordan Chiles placed second and third respectively on the podium for the Women’s Floor event, there was a powerful moment in which the two bowed down to Rebeca Andrade, the winner of the event. This act was seen as both a sign of respect and sportsmanship from the two American gymnasts to their Brazilian counterpart for her remarkable skill as one of the few gymnasts to beat Biles on the Olympic stage.
This moment was very significant to me because this was the first time in Olympic history that there was a podium filled with all Black athletes. Seeing three woman athletes of colour reach the peak of their sport felt pretty incredible, not only because they made history in a traditionally European-dominated sport but also due to Biles and Chiles’ discussions around mental health. The two are constantly proving to the world how resilient they are as both athletes of colour and athletes who have openly struggled with their mental health. Figures like Andrade, Biles, and Chiles are so important in both highlighting the prominence of mental health in sports and paving the way for so many young aspiring athletes of colour.
USWNT wins gold in Olympics – Anoushka Oke
It’s been a rough few years for American women’s soccer fans, years during which the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) most notably got knocked out of the semifinals of the 2020 Olympics by Canada and out of the 2023 World Cup Round of 16 by Sweden. After the post-World Cup resignation of head coach Vlatko Andonovski—who had often been criticized for the team’s underperformance—and a short interim period, former Chelsea Women head Coach Emma Hayes was hired as the new manager. Hayes’ tenure started strong, and going into the 2024 Olympics, she was yet to lose a game—which, combined with the availability of exciting young players like Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Jaedyn Shaw, offered a beacon of hope for USWNT fans.
The USWNT flew through the group stage and won every game, then handed 1-0 defeats to Japan in the quarterfinals, Germany in the semifinals, and Brazil in the finals. Seeing the team receive their medals felt like it symbolized the end of an era of heartbreak for American fans of women’s soccer. It was exhilarating to see how competitive the tournament had been—as it is indicative of the fact that more and more countries are investing in women’s soccer. It was even more exciting to see that the USWNT can still emerge successful against such tough competition. I’m so excited to see how the identity of the team continues to be built around this core of young, talented players, led by Hayes and her depth of experience.
Sue Bird’s legacy – Shani Laskin
I went to the Seattle Storm’s 25th anniversary game back in June and haven’t been able to shut up about it since. The Storm faced the Connecticut Sun, claiming victory in the end with a score of 72-61.
Sitting in the Climate Pledge Arena, surrounded by both long-time fans and people new to women’s basketball, I felt so grateful to be able to cheer on my favourite team in such a momentous game. Throughout the game, history reels played on the jumbotron highlighting key moments in the team’s history: From the inception of the Storm to Sue Bird’s recruitment, to the team’s four WNBA Championship wins, it was a powerful reminder that while women’s basketball has seen a recent surge in popularity, they’ve been hustling for decades.
After the game, the crowd was encouraged to stay back to watch the top 25 Storm players be recognized for their contributions to the team. I watched as each of the women received their awards, and met the rest of their acclaimed peers on the court. Knowing that current players like Jewell Loyd and Ezi Magbegor were included among the ranks of Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson, I’m so hopeful for the next 25 years of Storm history.
Wimbledon Men’s Singles final – Zain Ahmed
The summer was filled with some headline sports moments—but none quite captured my eye like the Wimbledon Men’s Singles final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. As an avid tennis player in my high-school years, this was a match that had everything a player or fan would want: Thrilling comebacks, stunning individual performances, and a climactic finish between one of the greatest players in tennis history, and his ambitious young contemporary.
The final was a battle of wills between two of the biggest players on the scene today. Djokovic, the defending champion and widely-loved legend of the sport, was seeking his eighth Wimbledon title, while Alcaraz, the rising star, was looking to add another tally to his growing list of accomplishments. The match was a marathon, lasting over four hours and featuring some of the most spellbinding tennis shots I have ever seen.
The final set was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both players forcing each other to their limits. In the end, it was Alcaraz who emerged victorious, securing his first Wimbledon title and cementing his status as one of the best players in the world. The celebration that followed was a joyous occasion for Alcaraz and his team, as they had achieved something truly remarkable.
This moment holds a special place in my heart. Watching one of my tennis idols go toe-to-toe with a young player I have watched ace his way onto the biggest tennis stages was more than just spectatorship; it was a chance for me to reflect on the power of the human spirit, the thrill of competition, and the beauty of sport.
