The 2024 Paris Olympics are finally here,
and after two games during the COVID-19 pandemic,
the Olympic spirit is back in full force.
Here are five key storylines for these games,
starting with the return of fans.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no fans in arenas,
no fans in stadiums, and perhaps most notably for athletes,
no family and friends there on the ground while they
were pursuing their lifelong dreams.
Many athletes have talked about how hard it was to
compete under those circumstances and how excited they are to
have their loved ones back in the stands with them
this time around.
The city itself will also pose a storyline simply by
providing spectacular backdrops to the games and many of its
events.
The opening ceremony will be on the River Sen rather
than a stadium,
and many iconic Parisian landmarks will serve as backdrops to
individual events,
like beach volleyball in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower
or equestrian at the Palace of Versailles.
Of course, with such audacious plans also come security concerns,
and that's another key storyline with these games.
City officials have said they may use artificial intelligence to
monitor crowded areas and detect any abnormal activity.
And even things like the opening ceremony pose unique concerns.
Rather than being in a stadium,
athletes will be floating down the river,
sent on barges for more than 3 1/2 miles,
giving security officials a lot more to think about and
a lot wider area to secure.
The Paris Games will also come against an intense geopolitical
backdrop,
including but not limited to the absence of Russia.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine,
the International Olympic Committee ruled that Russian athletes could compete
only under specific circumstances,
if they met specific criteria,
and only as individual neutral athletes.
That means that the Russian flag,
the Russian anthem and Russian officials will not be permitted
to attend.
Finally, let's talk about the stars for Team USA,
starting the course with Simone Biles.
Biles is expected to make her third Olympic appearance after
withdrawing partway through the Tokyo 2021 Games after suffering a
case of the twisties.
In the pool, you've got Katie Ledecky,
who will be looking to add to her already record
Metal Hall.
And on the track, it will be a potentially redemptive
Games for Noah Lyles,
who left Tokyo with just one disappointing bronze and could
return home this time with as many as 3 gold
medals.