I have been absolutely locked on the Olympics in its first week airing and I couldn’t help but put together an all-Olympics roster for week 1. These Olympians have captured our hearts, created memes, and made the Olympics what they always are: special. I will say some of this will be skewed American because that’s what they show us, but that doesn’t mean some foreigners won’t show up on the list. I compiled this list based off events that I’ve seen live, highlights on twitter, crowd support, aura, and overall wow-factor when out there on their respective field. Let’s see who has amazed the audiences after the first week

Leon Marchand – Swimming

• I do not know a lot about swimming, but every four years I become the biggest swimming fan in the world, and a name I continuously heard this first week is Leon Marchand out of host country France. Marchand is putting up Michael Phelps numbers currently with four gold medals in four events. He also broke Michael Phelps Olympic record in the 400-meter individual medley final. Not to mention the eruption from the crowd every time he swims. In the butterfly, every time he came up for a breath, the crowd released a roar, willing him to victory. Marchand is the man in Paris.

SImone Biles – Gymnastics

• This goes without saying. “The Goat” as I’ve learned she’s called by her peers has been a true warrior up there in 2024. Coming back from a brutal mental health issue stemming from the case of Larry Nassar, Biles has put all doubters behind so far in Paris. She led the gymnastics team to an all-around Gold and then took home gold in the all-around and in the vault. When you watch her perform and see her scores it’s just obvious what she does is more difficult than everyone and that she is better than anyone at the sport.

IIona Maher

• Now, rugby 7’s isn’t always on my radar, especially the women’s variety, but this year that all changed. Ilona Maher looks like a Lord of the Rings warrior readying to battle Sauron (her name also sounds elvish), but instead she’s carrying a ball and trucking every girl in her site. She led her team to the first medal in US women’s rugby history and for that she has made my first team list.

Lebron James

• Lebron at almost forty years old is leading not only this American men’s basketball team but the whole country as the US flag bearer in opening ceremonies. If anyone has ever truly felt like Captain America it is Lebron in the Olympics. The US men’s team is running through everyone and Lebron is dominating the stat sheet. Now there are others that deserve to be a first team Olympian on the men’s team but Lebron being flag bearer puts him on here.

Co-winner of fifth spot – Kim Yeji and Yusuf Dikec

• This one is pulled heavily by aura and twitter but I think it’s well-deserved. Yeji and Dikec both only won a silver, but they created memes that will last a lifetime. Yeji with her unreal anime-like style and Dikec with his cold, assassin like shooting style are what make the Olympics special. It seems every four years the world finds these people in obscure sports and make them legends. Dikec seems like he’s been doing it for years and not on targets, if you know what I mean, and Yeji’s glasses might just set a new fashion trend in New York. If we’re going to remember anyone from these games, it will be these two.

Second Team

Ariane Titmus – Swimming

• The US has seemed to have lost their dominance in the pool and a lot of that is due to the Australians and, in particular, Ariane Titmus. Titmus has posted two golds and one silver so far in these games and will be searching for more coming up. Plus, her name is good fun for everyone.

Suni Lee – Gymnastics

• Sure, she only one bronze in the all-around and lost her crown as reigning champion to Simone Biles, but Suni has captured the hearts of the world these games. Coming back from a rare kidney disease, Lee helped lead her team to an all-around gold and put up an impressive show in the individual all-around. Her floor routine had music that absolutely captivated me and her dancing and flips were almost on beat to the music. Her smile has been infectious and Suni, at only 22, has two more chances to add another medal.

The Entire Chinese Diving team

• I don’t know if everyone is aware but the Chinese (men and women’s) diving team is almost unstoppable. In Tokyo they won 7 of 8 Gold medals and so far this year they are 4 for 4. They approach diving with such grace and such little splash. It’s a science to them and it shows up on the podium stand.

Coco Yoshizawa – Skateboarding

• This 14-year-old Japanese girl stepped up to the plate and delivered Gold for her country. Could you imagine being 14 and an Olympian? It seems impossible, but this girl did it. She’s the youngest gold medal winner and for that reason she made the list.

Stephen Nedoroscik – Gymnastics

• The Clark Kent of these Olympics. The jockey to the pommel horse. A legend of Paris. He only does one event but every time he does, I’m watching. The guy does it blind for God’s sake, popping his glasses off moments for climbing up there, saying he can do it all by feel. He’s only won bronze, but that doesn’t lessen his legacy any. The nerdy, slender looking Nedoroscik has warmed all of our hearts and has earned his spot on this list.