Most popular sports and athletes at the 2024 Olympics

As the Paris 2024 Olympics heated up, the atmosphere was filled with anticipation and excitement.

In the last decades, the interest in the Olympics had reached new heights, with fans worldwide eagerly following their favorite sports and athletes, whether cozy at home on the big screens or in stadiums. 

The increased popularity of the Olympic Games was attributed to several factors, including the global reach of media coverage and the inclusion of new and exciting sports like breaking, skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing, and 3x3 basketball.

Leveraging recent data for online searches collected by buycycle, the leading marketplace for premium pre-owned bikes, we gained valuable insights into the most popular Olympic sports in 2024 and highlighted the top athletes in each and the overall most-searched Olympians that year.

Most popular Olympic sports 2024

Interesting findings

• Basketball and football dominate: With an overall of 45 sports in Olympic 2024, basketball led the pack with a search of 33,100, closely followed by football at 27,100. These sports were global powerhouses, drawing massive audiences due to their widespread appeal and the presence of high-profile athletes. It should be mentioned that NBA influence and the global reach of football leagues played crucial roles in these high searches. 
• Swimming and weightlifting hold strong: Swimming and weightlifting, with 22,200 and 18,100 monthly searches, continued to be significant ‘crowd-pullers’. These sports have traditionally been fan favorites, often delivering dramatic and inspiring moments. Athletes like Katie Ledecky in swimming have cemented their place in the public's minds, contributing to the sustained interest.
• The rise of new and niche sports: Skateboarding, introduced in Tokyo 2020, maintained its momentum with 8,100 searches. Similarly, sports like breaking (also 8,100), which debuted in Paris, drew considerable interest. These sports appealed particularly to younger audiences, indicating a shift in the demographics of Olympic viewers.
• Surprisingly, there is an intense low interest in cycling events: Cycling events, such as BMX racing and road cycling, were on the lower end of the search spectrum. This was intriguing, considering the popularity of events like the Tour de France. It suggested that cycling athletes might focus more on other major competitions, slightly overshadowing their Olympic participation.

As the excitement for the Paris 2024 Olympics built up, it was not just the sports that captivated our attention but the athletes who brought these events to life. These athletes are the heroes who inspire millions with their dedication, talent, and unforgettable performances. 

So, who were the leaders in each Olympic sport that year?

Most popular athletes in Olympic sports 2024

Interesting Findings

• Carlos Alcaraz, the tennis superstar: Led the pack with 5 million monthly searches, Carlos Alcaraz took the tennis world by storm. At just 20, his dynamic playing style and recent victories, including his 2022 US Open win, highlight his rising dominance. Alcaraz represented a new wave of talent challenging the likes of Djokovic and Nadal, with his performance in Paris set to solidify his star status.
• LeBron James, the basketball icon: With 4.1 million searches, LeBron James continued to captivate global audiences. Despite being in the final stages of his career, he remained pivotal in basketball. However, balancing NBA commitments with Olympic aspirations raises questions. His presence in Paris was a crowning achievement and a controversial choice if it impacted his NBA performance.
• Simone Biles, the resilient queen: Despite being part of artistic gymnastics, which ranks lower in searches per sport, Biles herself commanded significant attention, being searched online around 1.2 million times monthly. Her journey, marked by overcoming mental health challenges and a triumphant return to competition, had made her an inspirational figure, redefining what it meant to be a true Olympic champion​. 
• Rising stars in golf and cycling: Scottie Scheffler in golf and Jonas Vingegaard in cycling, with 1,500,000 and 1,000,000 monthly online searches, respectively, represented the rising stars in their sports. Scheffler's consistent performances on the PGA Tour have positioned him as a favorite. Meanwhile, Vingegaard's prowess in the Tour de France, including a remarkable recovery from a recent accident and a stage win over Pogačar, set high expectations for his Olympic performance.
• New faces in new sports: basketball 3x3, a fast-paced variant introduced at the Tokyo 2020 games, featured three players per team on a half-court. Hailey Van Lith has become a standout with an impressive 450,000 searches, drawing attention to her dynamic play and competitive spirit. This format emphasized quick action and streetball roots but raised questions about its long-term Olympic appeal compared to traditional basketball.

As we were in the middle of the games season, these athletes and sports were undoubtedly at the heart of the excitement and drama that made the Olympics more attractive to the large public.

But who were the most searched athletes globally? 

Top athletes in Olympics 2024

Interesting Findings

• Tennis and basketball most searched athletes: Dominating the top 25 most searched athletes, tennis was intense with 11 athletes, while basketball followed closely with 10. This emphasized these two sports' global interest and popularity at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
• Cycling's paradox: Despite the popularity of events like the Tour de France, cycling events at the Olympics had lower searches. This suggests a divided focus among cycling fans and athletes preparing for other major competitions.
• Search volume vs. medal potential: High search volume does not necessarily correlate with medal potential. Athletes in sports with lower overall searches, such as gymnastics and swimming, still commanded significant individual attention, indicating strong personal followings.
• Youth movement in sports: Young stars like 19-year-old Coco Gauff, with 1.83 million searches, and 22-year-old Iga Swiatek, with 1.5 million, were making significant waves in tennis, showcasing the rise of a new generation ready to shine on the Olympic stage.

The Paris 2024 Olympics were full of captivating stories and rising stars. As we watched these events unfold, one couldn't help but wonder: Which athletes were the new icons of their sport, and how the evolving Olympic program shaped the next generation? Only time could tell.

Methodology 

The study assessed all 45 sports in the Paris 2024 Olympics and 10,500 athletes to compete to identify the most popular based on their global online searches.

"Key factors considered included the monthly search volume on Google for each sport and athlete. The data collected from Google ensured a comprehensive and accurate analysis of the most searched athletes." - Alice Huot @buycycle

This approach allowed for a robust ranking of sports and athletes, providing insights into global interests and trends at the Paris 2024 Olympics.