A look back at some of the international sports events and personalities that made headlines in 2024.
Key events included the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, Spain winning UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany, and Real Madrid winning the UEFA Champions League.
Individuals hitting the heights included swimming star Léon Marchand, Max Verstappen conquering F1 for a fourth successive season, cycling star Tadej Pogacar, athletes Armand Duplantis and Ruth Chepngetich, golfer Scottie Scheffler, Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek from tennis.
JANUARY
- 27-28 Jannik Sinner wins maiden major at Australian Open. Aryna Sabalenka defends women’s title without losing set.
- 28 France beat Denmark to clinch their fourth EHF European Men’s Handball Championship.
FEBRUARY
- 10-11 Côte d’Ivoire and Qatar win continental titles at the Africa Cup of Nations and AFC Asian Cup.
- 11 Kansas City Chiefs defend Super Bowl crown – most-watched U.S. television event since 1969 moon landing.
MARCH
- 24 Swiss duo Marco Odermatt and Lara Gut-Behrami claim Alpine Ski World Cup titles.
APRIL
- 14 U.S. golfer Scottie Scheffler wins second U.S. Masters, pulling away from chasing pack in sensational style.
MAY
- 18 Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine powers to dramatic victory over British boxer Tyson Fury, to become first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years.
- 19 Man City hoist Premier League trophy – first English men’s team to win four successive top-flight titles
JUNE
- 1 Real Madrid dispatched Dortmund to win the European Cup.
- 8-9 At Roland Garros, Iga Światek is clay court queen. Carlos Alcaraz wins men’s title – repeats feat at Wimbledon
- 17 Boston Celtics win NBA Finals
JULY
- 3 Mark Cavendish breaks Tour de France record with 35th stage win.
- 14 Spain struck late to beat England in Berlin to win UEFA Euro 2024.
- 14 Argentina won the 16th Copa America.
- 26 Paris hosts Summer Olympics with homegrown swimming star Léon Marchand, U.S gymnast Simone Biles, and Australian break-dancer Raygun all making headlines.
AUGUST
- 4 U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles storms to Olympic 100m gold in a thrilling photo finish. Arguably the fastest race in history.
- 5 Pole vaulter Armand Duplantis sets new World Record to become double Olympic champion.
SEPTEMBER
- 8 China tops the table at the Summer Paralympics, with 220 medals.
- 29 Tadej Pogačar becomes third man to win cycling’s “Triple Crown” of Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and world title in the same year.
OCTOBER
- 13 Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich obliterates women’s world record at Chicago Marathon.
- 19 Team New Zealand rout INEOS Britannia in America’s Cup.
- 28 Spaniards Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí win Ballons d’Or.
NOVEMBER
- 19 “King of Clay” Rafael Nadal retires, ending an illustrious career that heralded a golden era in men’s tennis.
- 24 Max Verstappen stutters to fourth F1 title – McLaren later wins Constructors’ crown.
DECEMBER
- 16 UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 draw pits reigning champions England against rivals Wales, France and Netherlands.
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