A total of 27 countries claimed gold medals in athletics at the Olympics, two more than the previous record
One of the biggest takeaways from the Olympics is that so many nations had success in Paris.
Although the US dominated in athletics with 34 medals in total â more than the next five countries put together â 43 countries were represented on the table, matching Tokyo as the most in the sport for 20 years.
Botswana, Pakistan, Dominica and Saint Lucia obtained their first ever Olympic medals in athletics, taking the total number of countries to 105 now.
Thea LaFond and Julien Alfred claimed their respective Olympic triple jump and 100m titles on the same night (August 3) and they were the first gold medals that Dominica and Saint Lucia had won in any sport at the Games.
Letsile Tebogoâs victory in the 200m secured Botswanaâs maiden Olympic gold medal and Arshad Nadeemâs javelin win saw Pakistan on the top of an Olympic podium for the first time since LA 1984.
The other notable mention is Ecuador, with Brian Pintando winning the 20km walk and then partnering Glenda MorejĂłn to silver in the mixed marathon walk relay. Pintandoâs gold medal was the first in athletics for his country since Jefferson PĂŠrez achieved the feat in the same event at Atlanta 1996.
All in all, 75 countries placed inside the top eight across all athletics events at the Olympics, showcasing the strength in depth of talent in the sport.
Brian Pintando (Getty)
Julien Alfred stars for Saint LuciaÂ
Julien Alfredâs win in the Olympic 100m final saw the Saint Lucian create history as she claimed her countryâs first ever Olympic medal.
The fact that it was gold made it even sweeter. Alfred looked supreme and untroubled in a wet Stade de France and ran a national record of 10.72 to beat world 100m champion ShaâCarri Richardson.
Alfred eased through the rounds and clocked 10.95 and 10.84 in her heat and semi-final.
When the starting gun went off in the final, it was no surprise to see the 23-year-old get out of the blocks and into her stride quickly.
Alfred was untouchable when it mattered the most and victory was never in doubt, sparking wild celebrations on the island.
A few days later Alfred followed up her 100m gold with silver in the 200m, finishing behind Gabby Thomas with 22.08.
Julien Alfred for Saint Lucia (Getty)
Thea LaFond takes decisive win for DominicaÂ
When Thea LaFond won the world indoor triple jump title back in March, she stated afterwards that she wanted âto be an inspiration for people in my beautiful country in the Caribbeanâ.
If LaFond wasnât already a household name across Dominica from that victory in Glasgow then she definitely wouldâve been after Olympic gold in Paris.
The 30-year-old was just one of four Dominican athletes at the Games but stood on the top of the Olympic podium.
LaFond recorded a best of 15.02m in the triple jump and that was more than enough for the gold medal, with Jamaicaâs Shanieka Ricketts coming closest with 14.87m.
Already a double Commonwealth medallist in the event, LaFond went into 2024 with high expectations but even this mightâve been beyond her wildest dreams.
Thea LaFond (Getty)
Letsile Tebogoâs breathtaking gold for BotswanaÂ
Botswana has a rich history at the Olympics and the country made its debut at Moscow 1980.
Nijel Amos won Botswanaâs first ever Olympic medal at London 2012, finishing second to David Rudisha â who set the world 800m record of 1:40.91 â over two laps. However, before Paris 2024 the country had never won gold.
That all changed however when Letsile Tebogo blew everyone away in the 200m at the Stade de France, running 19.46 to take the gold medal.
Not only was it the joint-ninth fastest time in history but Tebogo beat double world 200m champion Noah Lyles, who later revealed he ran the race with Covid.
Tebogo then returned to help anchor Botswana to 4x400m silver behind the US.
The 21-year-old paid tribute to his mum, who sadly passed away back in May, afterwards and received a heroesâ welcome on return to Botswana.
Letsile Tebogo (Getty)
Arshad Nadeemâs powerful throw seals title for PakistanÂ
When you think of Pakistan v India, your mind will instantly turn to cricket.
However, at the Olympics the two nations battled it out in the javelin, with Arshad Nadeem going up against Neeraj Chopra for the biggest prize in the sport.
Chopra, who was the reigning Olympic champion from Tokyo, went into Paris as the favourite but Nadeem had claimed the Commonwealth crown in 2022.
Chopraâs best of 89.45m was enough for the silver medal, meaning that Nadeem won Pakistanâs first ever Olympic gold medal in athletics â their first in any sport since LA 1984.
Arshad Nadeem (Getty)
Ecuadorian excellence in the race walksÂ
The last time a South American country won the Olympic menâs 20km race walk was at Atlanta 1996 when Ecuadorâs Jefferson PĂŠrez struck gold.
On the streets of the Parisian capital, Brian Pintado followed in the footsteps of his compatriot PĂŠrez and stood on the top of the podium in the French capital.
Pintado recorded a time of 1:18:55 and beat Brazilâs Caio Bonfim by 14 seconds.
The Ecuadorian then teamed up with Glenda MorejĂłn to claim silver in the marathon mixed relay, finishing behind the Spanish pair of Ălvaro MartĂn and MarĂa PĂŠrez.
With two medals for Ecuador at Paris 2024, the country has now got four medals in athletics â the other being PĂŠrez getting 20km race walk silver at Beijing 2008 â in their history.
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