YEAR END
Sporting highlights of 2024
December 31, 2024 - A look back at some of the international sports events and personalities that made headlines in 2024. Key events included the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, Spain winning UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany, and Real Madrid winning the UEFA Champions League. Individuals hitting the heights included swimming star Léon Marchand, Max Verstappen conquering F1 for a fourth successive season, cycling star Tadej Pogacar, athletes Armand Duplantis and Ruth Chepngetich, golfer Scottie Scheffler, Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek from tennis.
JANUARY
27-28 Jannik Sinner wins maiden major at Australian Open. Aryna Sabalenka defends women’s title without losing set.
28 France beat Denmark to clinch fourth EHF European Men’s Handball Championship.
FEBRUARY
10-11 Côte d’Ivoire and Qatar win continental titles at Africa Cup of Nations and AFC Asian Cup.
11 Kansas City Chiefs defend Super Bowl crown – most watched U.S. television event since 1969 moon landing.
MARCH
24 Swiss duo Marco Odermatt and Lara Gut-Behrami claim Alpine Ski World Cup titles.
APRIL
14 U.S. golfer Scottie Scheffler wins second U.S. Masters, pulling away from chasing pack in sensational style.
MAY
18 Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine powers to dramatic victory over British boxer Tyson Fury, to become first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years.
19 Man City hoist Premier League trophy – first English men’s team to win four successive top-flight titles
JUNE
1 Real Madrid dispatch Dortmund to win European Cup.
8-9 At Roland Garros, Iga Światek is clay court queen. Carlos Alcaraz wins men’s title – repeats feat at Wimbledon
17 Boston Celtics win NBA Finals
JULY
3 Mark Cavendish breaks Tour de France record with 35th stage win.
14 Spain strike late to beat England in Berlin to win UEFA Euro 2024.
14 Argentina win 16th Copa America.
26 Paris hosts Summer Olympics with homegrown swimming star Léon Marchand, U.S gymnast Simone Biles, and Australian break-dancer Raygun all making headlines.
AUGUST
4 U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles storms to Olympic 100m gold in thrilling photo finish. Arguably fastest race in history.
5 Pole vaulter Armand Duplantis sets new World Record to become double Olympic champion.
SEPTEMBER
8 China tops table at Summer Paralympics, with 220 medals.
29 Tadej Pogačar becomes third man to win cycling’s “Triple Crown” of Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and world title in same year.
OCTOBER
13 Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich obliterates women’s world record at Chicago Marathon.
19 Team New Zealand rout INEOS Britannia in America’s Cup.
28 Spaniards Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí win Ballons d’Or.
NOVEMBER
19 “King of Clay” Rafael Nadal retires, ending illustrious career that heralded golden era in men’s tennis.
24 Max Verstappen stutters to fourth F1 title – McLaren later win Constructors’ crown.
DECEMBER
16 UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 draw pits reigning champions England against rivals Wales, France and Netherlands.