Daniel Berehulak/The New York Times
Cycling, Aug. 3
Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
400m Hurdles, Aug. 8
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
The Paris Olympics promised to be memorable from the start: an opening ceremony and competitions on the River Seine; extensive security measures quieting a bustling city; the potential for equal gender representation among athletes for the first time. Through the disruptions and controversies, dreams realized and denied, photographers from The New York Times were there to capture the moments. Here are some of their favorite photographs.
Saturday, Aug. 10
It was a big day for the United States: Its men’s basketball team won its fifth straight Olympic gold medal, and the women’s soccer team rebounded from a disappointing World Cup last year to win its first major tournament under its new manager.
It was a day of familiar sights, with the United States winning major tournaments in men’s basketball and women’s soccer, and novel ones, with breaking making its debut in the Games.
James Hill for The New York Times
Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
Daniel Berehulak/The New York Times
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
Friday, Aug. 9
This day featured two forms of competition that won’t be at the Los Angeles Games in 2028: breaking and the show jumping portion of the modern pentathlon, which will be replaced by an obstacle course.
Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
James Hill for The New York Times
James Hill for The New York Times
James Hill for The New York Times
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
Thursday, Aug. 8
The coronavirus pandemic caused the Tokyo Games to be postponed to 2021 from 2020, and forced those Olympics, and those in Beijing in 2022, to be staged with strict measures to protect against the virus. Crowds have returned, but Covid hasn’t gone away, as became clear after the men’s 200-meter final.
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
James Hill for The New York Times
Dmitry Kostyukov for The New York Times
Wednesday, Aug. 7
Skateboarding is building a history at the Games; the Paris competition was only the sport’s second appearance at the Olympics. It has a long way to go to catch up to wrestling.
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
James Hill for The New York Times
James Hill for The New York Times
Tuesday, Aug. 6
The Algerian boxer Imane Khelif came to Paris expecting to fight for a medal, and guaranteed she’d earn one when she won a semifinal bout in her weight division. But she also became embroiled in another fight, about gender, eligibility to compete and international politics.
James Hill for The New York Times
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
James Hill for The New York Times
Monday, Aug. 5
The Games offer plenty to see, no matter the perspective.
James Hill for The New York Times
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
James Hill for The New York Times
Sunday, Aug. 4
Every fraction of a second and every tenth of a point matters. Just ask Noah Lyles.
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
James Hill for The New York Times
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
James Hill for The New York Times
Saturday, Aug. 3
Some countries figure to be near the top of the medal table at every Games. Others have never won a medal. Thanks to Julien Alfred, St. Lucia is no longer one of them.
Daniel Berehulak/The New York Times
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
James Hill for The New York Times
Friday, Aug. 2
With vibrant uniforms, sparkling gymnastics leotards and a purple running track, these Olympics have turned the City of Light into the City of Color.
James Hill for The New York Times
Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
Thursday, Aug. 1
Aerial stunts aren’t limited to the gymnasts. Theirs are just a little more graceful.
James Hill for The New York Times
Daniel Berehulak/The New York Times
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
Wednesday, July 31
The men’s triathlon went on after having been delayed a day over the Seine River’s water quality. Other sports did a better job of staying in sync.
Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
James Hill for The New York Times
James Hill for The New York Times
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
Tuesday, July 30
A gold medal and merely making it to Paris are both worth celebrating.
James Hill for The New York Times
Dmitry Kostyukov for The New York Times
Monday, July 29
No matter the sport, you’ve got to keep your eye on the ball.
Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
Sunday, July 28
Simone Biles’s return to the Olympics after her withdrawal from most events in the Tokyo Games three years ago took center stage as she and her American teammates competed in the qualification round. The spotlight elsewhere was a little less bright.
Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
Dmitry Kostyukov for The New York Times
Saturday, July 27
The opening ceremony flotilla docked, the athletes — and Celine Dion — dried off from the rain and the Games began. Rugby sevens, and other sports that had started earlier in the week, finally had some company.
Gabriela Bhaskar for The New York Times
Daniel Berehulak/The New York Times
Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
