10 Olympic events you can't miss in 2024

Where to watch the Olympics

The Summer 2024 Olympics will air on NBCUniversal networks. You can also watch on the Peacock streaming service, which is the most affordable and complete way to view the games. The app offers live coverage and on-demand playback for every single Olympic event. NBC, USA Network, E!, CNBC, Universo, and Telemundo will carry at least some events each.

Olympic Triathlon

The triathlon is a pretty young event when compared to other Olympic events. It’s only been a part of the games since 2000. But then, the three-sport event was only invented in the 1970s. The competition consists of a 1.5km swim, a 40km cycle and a 10km run, performed in succession. There is just one heat for the entire event. There is a men’s event, women’s event and mixed relay race.

For the relay, countries send two women and two men on a team. Each member will complete a 300m swim, 5km bike and 2km run, with the first three members to compete tagging in a teammate once they’re done. This will be only the second mixed relay to take place at the Olympics in this event. The men’s individual race takes place on July 30 for the Summer Olympics, followed by the women’s individual race on July 31. The mixed relay will be on Aug. 5. The triathlon events will air on USA.

Olympic Trampoline

Trampolines aren’t just for kids. Trampoline gymnastics have been part of the Olympic games since 2000. While China has taken home the most medals, other countries like Canada and America are still in the running to make it to the podium. The programs are quite impressive, with athletes bouncing over 25 feet in the air. Even if you’re new to this sport, the incredible spins and twists may be mesmerizing. 

This year, as in previous Olympics, there are just two events. Each event starts with a qualifying round and concludes with the finals. The men’s and women’s events all take place on Aug. 2 at Bercy Arena. The women’s trampoline event will air on E!, while the men’s will air four hours later on USA.

Olympic Archery

Archery is one of the oldest practices in the world. What was once reserved for hunting or protection has now become a sport of precision. Targets are just 122cm (or 48 inches) in diameter and athletes must take aim from just over 75 yards away. Each round requires athletes to shoot 72 arrows, with the athlete with the highest number of points advancing. Both men and women compete individually, and there is also an exciting mixed-team event. 

This event has been a staple on the Summer Olympics schedule since the Munich games in 1972. South Korea has dominated Olympic archery, winning 27 gold medals, nearly twice as many as the second-best nation, the United States. For this year’s Olympic games, a ranking event will take place on July 25th. From there, archers will compete between July 28 and Aug. 4. Archery events will air across several different networks on those days.

Olympic Shooting

Olympic shooting has been a part of every modern games except for 1904 and 1928. However, the sport has many more events than it used to. In 2024, there will be 15 shooting events in the Olympic program. Rifle, pistol and shotgun shooting are treated as three separate disciplines in the game. There are also three unique positions: kneeling, prone and standing. 

You can watch athletes take aim at 10m, 25m and 50m targets in a variety of indoor and outdoor events. Perhaps the most exciting events are the shotgun events. During this program, athletes shoot at a flying target. The competitions will include participants from over 100 countries. Shooting takes place between July 27 and Aug. 5 at Chateauroux Shooting Centre. Shooting events will air on USA and CNBC on those days.

Olympic Fencing

Fencing is an ancient sport, but it remains fun to watch given how much skill and concentration is required. Men have been participating in Olympic fencing since the first modern games, while women began competing in fencing in 1924. Each match involves only two athletes. The fencers face each other and strike their opponent in designated areas of the body to score points. There are three types of weapons used in events: sabre, foil and épée.

While the rounds are short, just three minutes long, this sport is still exciting. There are individual and team events to keep track of over the course of the program. Italy is historically the best at fencing, taking home the most all-time medals. That being said, Hungary and France are always strong competitors, too. For the Paris games, fencing takes place between July 27 and Aug. 4 at Grand Palais. Fencing events will air on USA, E! and CNBC on those days.

Olympic Rowing

Rowing is another one of the oldest Olympic events. It’s a unique water event because the athletes row backward the entire time. While men have been competing since 1896, women were only added to the program in 1976. These days, there are two types of rowing. With double sculling, rowers hold a single oar with both hands. In sweep rowing, each athlete has an oar in each hand.

The program will take place on flat water at Nautical Stadium. With separate events for 2-, 4- and 8-person teams, you can definitely find someone to root for. Team USA has been one of the top contenders for years, though they’ll have to fend off other top teams, including Germany. You may just get to witness a photo finish. If you want to keep up with rowing in the 2024 Olympics, you can watch from July 27 to Aug 3. Rowing events will air on USA and E! during that time.

Olympic Tennis

Despite the huge popularity and historic nature of tennis, the sport has not always featured in the Summer Olympics. However, it has consistently appeared since 1988. The top men and women from around the world can both compete in individual events. There are also doubles events for men, women and mixed teams. The best of three sets wins the round. 

Some of the best tennis players in history have taken part in the Summer Olympics. This includes Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. One of the most hotly anticipated players in the 2024 games is American Christopher Eubanks. To see if he and other Team USA members bring home the gold, tune into Olympic tennis between July 27 and Aug. 4 on USA, E! and CNBC (with a lot of tennis streaming on Peacock).

Olympic Handball

Handball is a unique sport, combining many aspects of other sports like soccer and basketball. For instance, the purpose of the game is to score a goal in a soccer-like net. Yet the event is held on an indoor court that looks similar to a basketball court. And, just as in basketball, players can only take up to three steps without dribbling. Athletes are allowed to use their hands, head, torso, thighs and knees to pass and score.

There will be 12 teams competing. In the last games, France won both the men’s and women’s tournaments. The USA is not sending a team to Paris, but the action will still be exciting. The indoor version of this sport first appeared in 1972 and will be held this year at Pierre Mauroy Stadium. If this game sounds intriguing, you can watch the handball tournament between July 25 and Aug. 11 across several different networks. 

Olympic Table Tennis

In addition to being a popular family game, table tennis is also a serious and competitive sport. In fact, it’s been part of the Olympics since 1988. There are singles and team competitions for men and women. Since 2020, there have been a total of five events, including an exciting mixed doubles event. 

Historically, China has dominated the sport, collecting a total of 60 medals. Team USA will be led by Lily Zhang. If you want to see what competitive table tennis looks like, get ready to tune in to USA, E!, and CNBC between July 27 and Aug. 10. 

Olympic Water Polo

Water polo is not the most popular pool sport. Yet it has a lot to offer that you won’t find in swimming or diving. The team sport takes place in a pool as deep as nine feet, with the goal of throwing a ball into the opposing team’s net. Games have four action-packed eight-minute quarters. Men have been competing in Olympic water polo for over a century, while women’s water polo was added in 2000.

Hungary is the big name in men’s water polo, while the U.S. team is the squad to beat in women’s water polo. In fact, they are the reigning champs, having won gold in Tokyo. If Team USA wins the women’s event again, they will be four-time champions. For the Paris games, water polo will be played from July 27 through Aug. 11 at the Paris La Defense Arena. You can watch water polo on E!, CNBC and USA.

FAQ

What are the most popular Summer Olympics sports?

Gymnastics and swimming are the most-watched Summer Olympic games. Track and field, diving and basketball are also popular events. 

What are the 4 new sports for the 2024 Olympics?

Sport climbing, skateboarding, surfing and breakdancing will be the newest sports at the 2024 Olympics. The first three debuted in 2020, while breaking is appearing for the first time ever.

Where can I watch the Olympics?

Peacock will have every Olympic event available to stream live and on-demand in its Olympics hub. The Olympics will also air on NBC, USA Network, CNBC, E!, with a handful of events on the Golf Channel. Spanish-language coverage will be on Telemundo and Universo.