Gallery: The beauty and intensity of the 2024 Paris Olympics

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – When the United States women’s basketball team wrapped up the 2024 Olympics in Paris by winning their eighth straight gold medal, their 67-66 nailbiter over France was the perfect ending to an Olympics filled with beauty and drama.

With the closing ceremony for the games now underway, here is a look back at some of the images that made the 2024 Olympics in Paris one for the history books.

One of the most memorable aspects of the 2024 Olympics is the opening ceremony, which included performances by artists as varied as Celine Dion, Lady Gaga and French metal stalwarts Gojira.

An overview of the Trocadero venue with the Eiffel Tower in the background, in Paris, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Francois-Xavier Marit/Pool Photo via AP)
Lights illuminate the Eiffel Tower at the Trocadero during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Loic Venance/Pool Photo via AP)
Singer Celine Dion performs from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
The cauldron rises by the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Once the games began, the competition began burning intensely from the first whistle to the final buzzer and included many athletes from around the world going viral for their unique style and ability.

Australia's Rachael Gunn, known as B-Girl Raygun, competes during the Round Robin Battle at the breaking competition at La Concorde Urban Park at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin)
United States' Ilona Maher, enter gets past the tackle of Brazil's Gabriela Lima, right, during the women's Pool C Rugby Sevens match between the United States and Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, France, Sunday, July 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Turkey's Savval Ilayda Tarhan, left, and Yususf Dikec compete in the 10m air pistol mixed team gold medal event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Chateauroux, France. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Dennis Schroder (17), of Germany drives past Victor Wembanyama (32), of France during a men's semifinals basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Algeria's Imane Khelif prepares to fight China's Yang Liu in their women's 66 kg final boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

There was no shortage of star power in the 2024 Olympics, featuring some of the most popular athletes in the world including Simone Biles, LeBron James, Novak Djokovic, Rory McIlroy and Rafael Nadal.

United States' Stephen Curry (4) and LeBron James (6) celebrate after beating France to win the gold medal during a men's gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point with his teammate Carlos Alcaraz against Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands during the men's doubles tennis competition at the Roland Garros stadium, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Katie Ledecky, of the United States, celebrates after winning the women's 1500-meter freestyle final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Stephen Nedoroscik, of the United States, celebrates after winning the bronze medal during the men's artistic gymnastics individual pommel finals at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Rory McIlroy, of Ireland, chips onto the 5th green during the final round of the men's golf at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts after defeating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the men's singles tennis final at the Roland Garros stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Noah Lyles, of the United States, screams at a tv camera celebrating after winning the gold medal in in the men's 100 meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Simone Biles, of the United States, holds up her medals after the women's artistic gymnastics individual apparatus finals Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Sha'carri Richardson, of the United States, crosses the finish line to win the gold medal in the women's 4 x 100 meters relay final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Rai Benjamin, of the United States, reacts after crossing the finish line to win the gold medal in the men's 4 x 400 meters relay final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Nikola Jokic (15), of Serbia reacts after his bronze medal after a basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
United States' A'ja Wilson (9) reacts during a women's gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
United States' Diana Taurasi (12) poses for a picture with her gold medal at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

There were also plenty of celebrities around in Paris during the games, none more noticeable than hip hop icon Snoop Dogg.

Snoop Dogg watches the dressage team Grand Prix final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Versailles, France. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Snoop Dogg waves as he attends the women's artistic gymnastics qualification round at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
US artist Snoop Dogg attends a women's beach volleyball match between The United States and France at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
US artist Snoop Dogg gestures during the men's skateboarding park finals at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
American artist Snoop Dogg, center, sits in the audience prior to the breaking competition at La Concorde Urban Park at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin)
American artist Snoop Dogg performs a short dance on stage prior to the breaking competition at La Concorde Urban Park at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Entertainer Ariana Grande arrives in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Jimmy Fallon cheers during game between France and United States during a men's gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Natural State native, NBA Hall of Famer and 2-time Olympic gold medalist Scottie Pippen was also in attendance at the men’s and women’s gold medal games.

Scottie Pippen watches the game between France and United States during a men's gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Scottie Pippen in white jacket, Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe watch the game between France and United States during a men's gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Scottie Pippen and Dirk Nowitzki during a women's gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The USA's Scottie Pippen, left, Michael Jorden, center, and Clyde Drexler rejoice with their gold medals after beating Croatia, 117-85 in Olympic basketball in Barcelona Saturday, August 8, 1992. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan)
Muhammad Ali poses with Dream Team members from left: Scottie Pippen, Hakeem Olajuwon, Reggie Miller, Shaquille O'Neal, Karl Malone and Gary Payton after receiving the gold medal, which replaces the 1960 gold medal he lost, during half time ceremonies at the gold medal game of basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Saturday, August 3, 1996. IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch presented the medal to Ali. (AP Photo/Eric Draper)

Though the focus of the athletics world is already shifting to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the 2024 edition in Paris will always be remembered for its broken records, controversy, drama and incredible triumph.

Sha'carri Richardson, of the United States, crosses the finish line to win the women's 4 x 100 meters relay final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Mutaz Essa Barshim, of Qatar, celebrates after winning the bronze medal in the men's high jump final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Mexico's Paulo Strehlke Delgado competes during the marathon swimming men's 10km competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Netherland's Simone Van De Kraats splashes her face prior to the women's bronze medal water polo match against United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
South Korea's Jeon Jihee plays against Germany's Shan Xiaona during the women's bronze medal team table tennis match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Cara Feain-Ryan, of Australia, competes in a heat of the women's 3000-meter steeplechase at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Tatiana Weston-Webb, of Brazil, surfs during the gold medal match of the surfing competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Teahupo'o, Tahiti. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Austria's Victoria Max-Theurer rides Dante Welting Old during the dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Versailles, France. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Malcolm Clemons, of the United States, competes in the men's long jump qualification at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Brazil's Luigi Cini competes loses control of his board during the men's skateboarding park finals at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Taliyah Brooks, of the United States, throws in the women's heptathlon javelin at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Norway's Henrik Christiansen paddles around a buoy, during the men's 10km, marathon swimming, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/David Goldman, Pool)
France's team perform their hoop exercise in the rhythmic gymnastics group all-round qualification round, at La Chapelle Arena, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (Athit Perawongmetha/Pool Photo via AP)
United States Logan Edra, known as B-Girl Logistx, right, and Australia's Rachael Gunn, known as B-Girl Raygun, compete during the Round Robin at the breaking competition at La Concorde Urban Park at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin)
Spain's Daniel Fernandez shoots on goal during a semifinal handball match between Germany and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Valentin Bontus, of Austria, screams with joy after winning the gold, during a men's kite final race, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Marseille, France. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Onofriichuk Taisiia, of Ukraine, performs clubs exercise in the rhythmic gymnastics individuals all-round final at La Chapelle Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Harrie Lavreysen of Netherlands celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's sprint event, at the Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Netherlands' Bregje de Brouwer and Noortje de Brouwer compete in the duet technical routine of artistic swimming at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the gold medal at the end of the men's marathon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Jang Yeon-hak of South Korea competes during the men's 102kg weightlifting event, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
China's Wang Manyu plays against Japan's Miwa Harimoto during the women's gold medal team table tennis match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Britain's Rebecca McGowan competes with Turkey's Nafia Kus Aydin in a women's over 67kg Taekwondo bronze final match during the 2024 Summer Olympics, at the Grand Palais, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Eishiro Murakami of Japan competes during the men's +102kg weightlifting event, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
The United States' Rai Benjamin runs ahead of Botswana's Letsile Tebogo during the men's 4 x 400 meters relay final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Uzbekistan's Bakhodir Jalolov celebrates winning gold after defeating Spain's Ayoub Ghadfa in their men's +92 kg final boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Eiffel Tower is seen in the background during play in the women's beach volleyball bronze medal match between Australia, left, and Switzerland, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)