One glances at the newspaper or watches a news broadcast and is always hit with the same names in sports: Simone Biles, Mijaín López, Katie Ledecky, Noah Lyles, Armand Duplantis, Novak Djokovic, Ma Long… and so on. This relentless repetition of information does not, in any way, diminish the significance of their achievements, but it does overshadow others. However, it also opens the doors for new global figures to emerge.

Joining the ranks of these established legends is a group of names that have already made their mark in the Olympic encyclopedia from this Parisian edition. This includes Imane Khelif and the gender eligibilty controversy that captured worldwide attention; the down-to-earth style of Yusuf Dikeç, the anime-inspired gesture of Kim Ye-Ji in the shooting competition; and Léon Marchand as the new champion of the water.

Medals, the tally of golds, victories, and podiums are not everything in sports, which would be reduced to mere ashes of a statistical table. The Olympic narrative goes beyond that, with an overwhelming passion that makes one forget the rigid success of the Games. Nostalgic romantics will always have certain performances from this Olympic summer in Paris etched in their memory, performances that answered the call of destiny but were not rewarded with gold.

Rafael Nadal

It's somewhat misleading to include the greatest tennis player in history alongside Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. With 22 Grand Slam titles to his name and a legacy that has earned him a place on the Mount Rushmore of European sports, Nadal's inclusion here focuses solely on Paris 2024.

With a body that can barely withstand the onslaught of younger players, the 'King of Clay' fell to his archrival Djokovic in singles. In doubles, he advanced further, teamed with the new leader of the ATP tour, Carlos Alcaraz. However, Krajicek and Ram prevented his progression to the podium, marking Nadal's absence from an Olympic event. It was a farewell to a true idol, a source of inspiration, and a tenacity that few have matched or will match in the future of tennis.

Andy Murray

Some might find it unfair to include the prominent Scottish tennis player, Andy Murray, in this list as well. In his prime, he was considered part of the 'Big Four,' the best generation in the sport's history, alongside Nadal, Federer, and the reigning Olympic champion, Djokovic.

In Paris, he hung up his racket with two golds and one silver Olympic medal to his name, after three outstanding doubles matches with his friend Daniel Evans, before falling in the quarterfinals against the American duo Fritz and Paul. "I've given everything I could in my career," he admitted shortly after bowing out to the American team, bringing to a close his immaculate 19-year career.

Sam Kendricks

American pole vaulter Sam Kendricks joined the crowd cheering for Armand Duplantis before his event. It was no secret that the gold medal had the colors of the Swedish flag, but envy did not corrode the 31-year-old veteran.

Without hesitation, Kendricks, knowing what was about to unfold, offered encouragement to his friend and greatest rival, urging him to push his limits. As a result, 'Mondo' broke his own world record in pole vault and later embraced the American, who ended up with the silver medal. Kendricks' attitude reflected not only deep respect but also the essence of the Olympic spirit, earning him a 'gold' in the hearts of all fans.

Ryuju Nagayama

Yes, Nagayama ultimately won a bronze medal in the men's 60 kg judo competition, thanks to the repechage, it should be noted. Before learning of his fate in this Olympic reward system, the Japanese athlete had lost in the quarterfinals to Spain's Francisco Garrigós, who also won his respective bronze medal.

The Japanese athlete refused to shake hands after their match, believing that the Spaniard had continued to strangle him even after the referee had signaled 'mate.' If the story had ended there, Nagayama wouldn't be mentioned here, but as the saying goes, "to err is human, to forgive is divine." The threats against Garrigós from all over Japan and a post on the Asian judoka's official Instagram account changed the entire narrative.

The lesson taught by the young Japanese athlete to his country deserves a medal. "My friend Francisco Garrigós came to see me and offered his apologies," Nagayama began, concluding by saying he was "very grateful to have had the opportunity to compete with him in Paris. No matter what people say, we are all family in judo." This brought an end to the threats against the 29-year-old athlete from Móstoles.

Carolina Marín and He Bingjiao

Known as 'the best badminton player in the history of the old continent,' Carolina Marín, like Nadal and Murray, is another legend of the sport. Olympic champion in Rio 2016, seven-time European Champion, and four-time World Champion, her luck this time ran out in the semifinals due to a severe knee injury against China's He Bingjiao.

"My soul is crushed, and I don't know if I'll play again," lamented the athlete from Huelva after her setback. The worst part is that the scoreboard was in her favor, and she was already on the brink of another final. But everything went dark, a somber twist of fate struck her, and a knee snap left us with the terrible image of Marín on the ground, crying inconsolably as she tried to continue the match.

After her withdrawal, He Bingjiao had to go through the 'walk-over' of Marín and lost the final after a tough battle with South Korea's An Se-Young. In the official podium photo, the Chinese athlete didn't forget her Spanish colleague, holding up the Olympic pin with the Spanish flag, winning the hearts of all.

Yaylagui Ramazanova and Nada Hafez

In the world of sports, there are stories that stand out for their courage and determination. Such is the case of Yaylagui Ramazanova, an archer from Azerbaijan, and Nada Hafez, an Egyptian fencer, who competed in the Olympic Games in advanced stages of pregnancy. Ramazanova, over six months pregnant, reached the round of 16 in archery, while Hafez revealed on social media that she competed seven months pregnant.

These women not only participated in their disciplines but did so with a strength and dedication that goes beyond the simple desire to compete. They faced the challenges of pregnancy while representing their countries on the biggest stage in sports, embodying an Olympic spirit that few can boast of having.

Uriel Canjura

In the small rural community of Suchitoto, El Salvador, Uriel Canjura, known as 'the little one,' discovered his passion for badminton in an unlikely setting: an improvised court in his backyard, built by his stepfather, a member of the Salvadoran Badminton Federation.

Playing barefoot with a net tied between a tree and the house, Uriel showed innate talent from a young age. His hard journey led him to make history in 2024, becoming the first Salvadoran athlete to compete in the Olympic Games. Though his participation ended in the preliminary round, his story has ignited the flame of sport in El Salvador and its neighboring countries, starting from humble beginnings with great sacrifice.

Agustín Vernice

As a child, Agustín Vernice dreamed of gliding through the waters, a desire so strong that at age 12, he used his snack money to secretly go kayaking in Bahía Blanca, Argentina. Although his passion was initially kept secret, it didn't take long for him to confess to his mother, who feared for his safety.

That love for canoeing led him to compete at the elite level, where he challenged the waters of the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, achieving an impressive fourth place in the men's K-1 1000 m final. Although he came close to the medals, his effort and dedication left an indelible mark on Argentine sports.