Sports and Racing games

Ever since I started watching the Olympics, I loved watching the smaller teams get their spot in the limelight against the usual powerhouse nations. Especially when it comes in the form of a first medal in their Olympic history. So that got me thinking: Which country or territory might get that moment in less than two months?

Each Summer Olympics so far had at least a few delegations win a medal for the first time (at Tokyo 2020 it was Turkmenistan, San Marino and Burkina Faso). So I looked through the qualified athletes and tracked down some who might do it at Paris 2024. Let me know if I missed some or maybe you already have predictions to share!

Most likely: Albania (ALB) - One of the few European nations left who never medalled, Briken Calja had a heartbreak 4th place in weightlifing three years ago. But this time Albania sends Abakarov and Dudaev, two formerly Russian wrestlers from Dagestan who recently won gold at World and European Championships, respectively. It's very likely that at least one of them will win a bronze, if not more.

Good chance: Saint Lucia (LCA) - Julien Alfred is currently one of the best sprinters in the women's 100m and 200m. She barely missed a medal at the World Championships so far but she might just get it this time.

Good chance: British Virgin Islands (IVB) - The men's 400m hurdles have been dominated in the last couple years by three men, with superstar Karsten Warholm consistently on top. Kyron McMaster had been a solid 4th place for some time now but won a silver medal at the World Championships last year. With continued improvement and maybe a slight underperformance by one of the big favourites, he might go home with another medal this time.

Possible: Dominica (DMA) - Triple jumper Thea LaFond has shown very good results at various big competitions by now. But most importantly, Yulimar Rojas who was the overwhelming favourite to win, will miss the Olympics because of injury. This opens the door for others like LaFond, of course.

Outside chance: Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) - Three years ago, Nedžad Husić lost his bronze medal match in taekwondo, missing out on his country's first medal. Unfortunately, he did not qualify for Paris. Instead, Bosnia's hopes will rest on butterfly swimmer Lana Pudar, a very promising young talent. I think she could win a medal eventually, but Paris is most likely too early.

Outside chance: Andorra (AND) - Now this is maybe too unlikely to be listed but Mònica Dòria Vilarrubla has already won a World Championship bronze in slalom canoeing and made it onto a few World Cup podiums in her career. She seems to be very inconsistent in her results so maybe a mercurial performance at the right time is on the cards. Probably not, though.