Sports can excite, inspire, and at times test our patience. They connect us with others and provide valuable lessons about teamwork and resilience.

Above all, sports bring us joy, and 2024 was no different.

Here are some highlights from the world of sports that added to our happiness this year:

Paris Olympics

Following two Olympics marked by strict and necessary limitations — no spectators, no family visits, and tough COVID regulations — the Paris Games were a welcome return to a more familiar experience. Stadiums were full, competitors received cheers from their families, and fans were thrilled just to attend. By this standard alone, the Paris Olympics were a significant success.

But Paris exceeded expectations. At a time when even fans are scrutinizing the expenses involved in hosting the Olympics, Paris demonstrated that flashy new venues, which often become unused white elephants, aren’t necessarily the best solution. The temporary beach volleyball arena set against the Eiffel Tower became an iconic representation of the Games, and events held in the Grand Palais offered marvelous visuals. With competitions located in the city center and easily accessible by Metro, the Olympics felt welcoming and inclusive.

And the athletic performances—magnificent! Simone Biles further established herself as the greatest gymnast of all time by winning three additional gold medals. Léon Marchand captivated the French audience with a series of dominant displays in the pool. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone broke records. The U.S. basketball teams reaffirmed their position as the benchmark for excellence.

The Olympics aim to celebrate outstanding achievements while pushing athletes to surpass their limits, and Paris delivered on both fronts.

Rise of women’s sports

This year marked a significant boom in women’s sports, with soaring television ratings, record-breaking attendance, and an increased interest from sponsors. It was a remarkable sight to witness, albeit long overdue.

Female athletes have persistently called for greater visibility and recognition, promising to deliver stellar performances if given the chance—and they certainly did. The NCAA women’s basketball tournament proved to be far more exciting than the men’s, with Caitlin Clark’s Iowa facing off against South Carolina in a championship game that attracted 18.9 million viewers, surpassing the men’s title match with 14.8 million viewers.

The enthusiasm surrounding Clark and fellow newcomers like Angel Reese and Cameron Brink transitioned smoothly into the WNBA Draft and throughout the regular season, where 22 regular-season games enjoyed an average viewership of 1 million or more. The WNBA Finals boasted its highest ratings in 25 years, with every game sold out.

The NWSL reached over 2 million in total attendance for the first time in its 12-year existence, and the Kansas City Current inaugurated the first stadium built specifically for a women’s team. Women’s NCAA volleyball maintained its status as a sought-after event, and three new professional leagues either launched or announced plans to do so. Nelly Korda generated excitement by continuously winning tournaments, ultimately tying the record held by Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam for five straight victories.

And the momentum continues. There’s hope that this positive trend will endure.

“Support for women’s sports is not just a checklist item,” Clark stated in an interview with TIME Magazine’s athlete of the year. “It’s on its way to becoming the new normal.”

Caitlin Clark

Few athletes have experienced a year quite like Caitlin Clark.

With seemingly the entire nation watching, she became college basketball’s all-time leading scorer. She captivated audiences with her deep three-point shots and breathtaking assists while guiding Iowa to the national title game for a second consecutive year.

Clark was the first overall pick in the WNBA draft and was named Rookie of the Year. She attracted a wave of new fans to women’s sports, especially the WNBA, proving that those “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” shirts weren’t just hopeful slogans.

Clark recognizes that her achievements stand on the shoulders of those who came before her. Every sport has athletes who push boundaries and elevate the game—think of icons like Tiger Woods, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Serena Williams—and Clark has now entered their ranks.

Simone Biles

Watching Simone Biles shine continues to be a thrilling experience.

Biles added three more Olympic gold medals to her collection in Paris, becoming only the third woman to achieve two individual all-around titles and the first to do so in non-consecutive Olympics. She led the U.S. women’s team to another championship and won gold on vault, executing a skill that may never be replicated.

However, it’s not just her outstanding athletic ability that’s remarkable. Turning 27 in March, Biles has redefined the notion that gymnastics is for teenagers. Her decision to withdraw from most events during the Tokyo Olympics due to facing “the twisties” revealed the mental health challenges many athletes—too many individuals—experience, and sparked important conversations around this issue.

“I’ve achieved far beyond what I ever dreamed of, not just at this Olympics but throughout my career. So I can’t be disappointed with my performances,” Biles reflected in Paris.

“A few years back, I never thought I’d be back competing at an Olympic Games. To compete and come away with four.”

“I’m not upset about the medals,” Biles expressed further. “In fact, I take pride in my accomplishments.”

LeBron James and Bronny James

Whether you believe Bronny James deserves a place on the Los Angeles Lakers or not, witnessing him and LeBron James share the court during the season opener was undeniably one of the most touching moments of the year.

No father and son duo has ever played together in the NBA, and only a few have done so in other sports. It’s remarkable that LeBron James’ career longevity made this moment possible, but it transcended just another athletic milestone.

LeBron’s challenging upbringing is well-documented; he often speaks about growing up without a father. His success in basketball has allowed him and his wife Savannah to provide their children with the stability he lacked during his early years, and he is a devoted and proud father.

Standing alongside Bronny on the court represented an accomplishment that was deeply personal as well as professional for him.

“That’s a memory I will cherish forever,” LeBron James reflected after the game. “No matter how time passes or how my memory may change, I will always remember that moment.”

Decoy, Shohei Ohtani’s dog

While his owner had an incredible year, claiming his first World Series title and third NL MVP award — notably becoming the first MLB player to achieve a 50-homer, 50-steal season — fans didn’t need to be Los Angeles Dodgers supporters or even baseball aficionados to fall in love with Decoy, Shohei Ohtani’s charming dog.

The world first met the brown-and-white Kooikerhondje in November 2023, when he was present with Ohtani during the announcement of his second MVP title. Since then, Decoy has been a constant companion to Ohtani, accompanying him to games, sponsor events, and even playing a key role during the MVP announcement. He was even part of the celebration with Ohtani and his wife during the World Series parade.

Decoy’s popularity soared to the point where the Dodgers created a bobblehead of him and allowed him to “throw” out the first pitch during the giveaway night.

While Ohtani might be considered the best player in baseball, Decoy truly deserves the title of the game’s MVP — Most Valuable Pup.

Pop-Tarts Bowl

The ridiculous explosion of minor college bowl games is one of the more absurd developments in recent years, outdone only by some of the bizarre names. The Cure Bowl? The Pinstripe Bowl? The 68 Ventures Bowl? What’s going on here?

Yet, one bowl stands out, bringing joy, creativity, and excitement to the bowl season with a prize that surpasses all others.

I’m referring to none other than the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Featuring three “edible” mascots and letting fans vote on which flavor the winning team receives, it’s clear that the Pop-Tarts Bowl is a significant improvement over previous events like the Cheez-It Bowl, the Camping World Bowl, and the MicronPC Bowl. And let’s not forget, they’ve revamped the trophy to function as an actual toaster!

The secret for any bowl not included in the College Football Playoff is to distinguish itself and attract viewers who might not care about the teams playing. If you aren’t thrilled by the thought of a cartoon Pop-Tart on the sidelines and watching college players relive their childhood when the ultimate post-game snack appears, then you clearly don’t appreciate fun.

Wrexham AFC

The Welsh soccer team linked with Hollywood is on a remarkable ascent, aiming for promotion again this season. Keeping up this momentum, Wrexham could find itself in the Premier League as soon as the 2026-27 season.

Wrexham was in a dire situation when actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney acquired the team in 2020. Being the oldest football club in Wales and the third-oldest in the world, the team had fallen out of the Football League in 2008 and faced financial struggles. Promotion to the Premier League seemed unlikely.

After earning promotions over the past two seasons, Wrexham is now in League One, just two tiers below the EPL. The top two teams in League One secure automatic promotion to the Championship, along with the playoff winner among the next four teams. This season, Wrexham has consistently ranked among the top teams in League One, occasionally making it to the top two while comfortably maintaining a playoff position.

It’s true that the team benefits from the financial support and connections of Reynolds and McElhenney, but it’s still a heartwarming story of a once-struggling club and its community making a comeback.

Big men scoring touchdowns

It seems almost impossible that a large player could dodge a swarm of smaller and theoretically quicker opponents to reach the end zone. It’s reminiscent of a bumblebee surprisingly flying despite defying physics.

Yet, it does happen—though not frequently. This season, we witnessed Leonard Williams (6-foot-5, 300 pounds) dash 92 yards for an interception return touchdown, and offensive tackle Dan Skipper (6-foot-9, 330 pounds) taking a 9-yard pass for a score. Let’s also give a nod to Khalen Saunders (6 feet, 324 pounds), who lumbered 35 yards after intercepting Patrick Mahomes.

Truly magnificent. Absolutely magnificent.

Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets

The four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, along with the Jets, added more disappointment to their long-suffering fans with yet another dismal season. For the rest of us, Rodgers and the Jets provided continuous entertainment.

Few athletes have tarnished their reputations as swiftly or thoroughly as Rodgers, whose arrogance, hypocrisy, and eager acceptance of conspiracy theories have grown tiresome. Watching him face the consequences week after week has been one of the season’s most enjoyable aspects in the NFL.