It’s that time again when the world's top athletes come together and compete like their lives depend on it. In various disciplines, they put their muscles and willpower to the test as they fight to see who truly dominates the sport on a global level. The problem with the Olympics however is that there are simply too many sporting events to watch. Even now as the Paris Olympics have begun, you must be confused about which sports to devote your attention to. Don’t worry though, we've got you. Today we’ll provide the best, most entertaining Olympic sports to watch with your friends and family that will leave you fired up with passion.
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is perhaps the sport that is most synonymous with the Olympics. With their athletic builds and cat-like reflexes, various men and women from all over the world compete in various gymnastic disciplines showcasing perfect form, balance, and impeccable timing. Fewer sports can be as marveling to watch as gymnastics. No, seriously, the amazing twists and flips they do will have your jaw on the floor as these athletes defy gravity and their physical limitations in one swift breath.
The national pride that is also at stake is another competition on its own. Russia and the United States Of America have been at each other's heels throughout the history of the competition, with Russia slightly edging out the US with more medals won. This hit rivalry will no doubt keep the competition exciting and fun to watch. With stars like the young but already legendary Simone Biles carrying the torch forward, gymnastics is bound to be a mainstay sport and an entertaining one at that.
Sprint Races
If you like a fast-paced event that is sure to have your adrenaline rushing and your eyes glued to the TV then look no further than the sprint competitions. With lightning-blazing artists who run sub 11 seconds in 100-meter sprints, this is one of those sporting disciplines that you will not want to blink on. In this sport, there are three different kinds of tracks: the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters. These races are a solidified mainstay, and in fact, the sprinting disciplines have very ancient origins in the Olympic competitions. You see, the early Olympic Games held in Greece from 776 BC to 724 BC only consisted of a race as there were no other events, although discus and javelin throwing games later on. That makes the sprint events some of the oldest disciplines. Even in this modern day and age, with heroes like the great Usain Bolt on the scene, is it a wonder that this sport is still amazing to watch?
Olympic Basketball
With the US Dream team, the US Redeem team, and now the 2024 US Avengers team, the Olympic basketball tournaments have never lacked excitement and competitive spirit. With several nations competing for gold and various NBA stars representing their countries, this sporting discipline has never lacked the ferocity that is associated with the Olympics. It goes without saying however that the US has been the dominating nation in the sport and now with a team led by Lebron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant, the outcome of these Paris Olympics is all but settled. As pure fans of the unpredictable, we would love to see an upset though, as likely as that might be. Given that the game itself is an American invention, is it any wonder that the US dominates? Despite all this, you’re guaranteed plenty of athleticism, power, and ferocity as this sport is played.
Judo
Whoever said Olympic combat sports are boring to watch is a very ignorant person. We guarantee that if you set aside some time to watch Olympic judo competitions, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the action that you will see taking place. Though combat sports like judo have been hammered with rules to make them a lot less bloody, unlike the Roman gladiatorial sports they are modeled after, we reckon that you will still have your fair share of fun as you watch these. To have strong, tactical men and women grapple and throw each other all over the place ignites you with a fire that would be at home on the front lines of battle in ancient times. How about you give the sport a watch this year?
Cycling
Cycling has been a part of the Olympic sports for a long time and every cycle, thousands of people flock to see the cyclists fight for a taste of glory as they cycle over long distances for the honor of being called the best. The sport is fast-paced, intense, and very adrenaline-inducing. We guarantee that from the time the cyclists leave their starting points, right till the end, you’ll be on the edge of your seat, watching, cheering, and observing. With easy-to-understand rules, we guarantee that if you start watching now by the time the Paris Olympics end, you’ll be a hardcore fan.
Volleyball
Don’t judge a book by its cover when it comes to this sport. Though it might sound like it would be a boring watch, nothing could be farther from the truth. Volleyball is an entertaining, team sport that consists of spikes, blocks, and hardcore serves. The sport itself has two variations, one being regular volleyball and the other being beach volleyball as part of the summer Olympics. We have no doubt you’ll love both. When it comes to volleyball, countries like Brazil are the ones that dominate the field, no doubt thanks to their marvelous beaches that have allowed them to create a culture out of the sport. Give volleyball a try and come give us feedback when you do.