The Most Memorable Debuts in Summer Olympics History

Once every four years, each country sends its best athletes to the Summer Olympic Games. The host city is responsible for putting on a show that fans and those partaking in the games will remember forever. In 2024, Paris, France is where the games will be held. There’s tons of anticipation building up to the start of the event. New and fresh faces pop up during each occurrence of the games. Not all debuts are made the same, though. Some are far more memorable than others.

One of the most talked about athletes heading into the 2012 games in London was Katie Ledecky. At the time, Ledecky was only 15 years old. However, there were tons of expectations put on her shoulders. She was dubbed a star when it came to the freestyle stroke. Those who followed her career up to that point took note of how long she could swim. Ledecky lived up to the hype and won the 800-meter freestyle event gold medal. Her career slingshot from there.

Another athlete who had one of the most memorable Summer Olympic debuts in history was Magic Johnson. Johnson had recently retired from the NBA prior to the 1992 games because he contracted HIV. However, the best NBA players decided they were going to represent the United States at the Olympics in 1992. They invited Johnson to play. While he didn’t get too many minutes because of various injuries, he became a pillar of hope for those with HIV. For more Olympic content, click here to read about the athletes with the most Summer Olympic medals in history.

To compile this list of the most memorable debuts at the Summer Olympics, 24/7 Tempo consulted Olympic-related sources.

Katie Ledecky

Most high schoolers spend their time stressing over classes and how to make extra money working at their first job. Katie Ledecky wasn’t like most high schoolers, though. Instead, she was preparing to make her Summer Olympic debut at the ripe age of 15. There was a lot of pressure on Ledecky to come through for the United States. During the trials, Ledecky became known for excelling at the freestyle stroke.

When the 2012 games in London came calling, Ledecky was ready to answer the bell. She took home her first gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle. What’s even more impressive for Ledecky is her success has continued for multiple olympics after her debut. She truly became a household name and was one of the first trending athletes on social media. High schoolers were jokingly questioning what all they had accomplished when they compared themselves to Ledecky.

Missy Franklin

Katie Ledecky wasn’t the only high schooler to debut at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Missy Franklin grew up in Colorado and found herself across the pond competing against the best in the world. Franklin was best-known for the backstroke, an event which she dominated the competition. When the games concluded, Franklin had officially taken home four gold medals. She made her mark on the swimming world.

Once she got home, a viral video of the high school football team where she was enrolled made its rounds on social media. Franklin talked about her love for the song “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen. The team danced along while lip syncing along to the lyrics, which Franklin loved. Instead of going pro, Franklin went to college to compete at the University of California. She didn’t see the same level of success again at the Olympics, but she had quite the debut.

Michael Phelps

There have been tons of athlete prodigies to pop up in history. Few of these kids actually live up to the hype they gain. Michael Phelps did everything that was ever conceived of him, and more. Like Missy Franklin and Katie Ledecky, Phelps participated in his first Summer Olympic games while still in high school. There were tons of folks who thought he was going to be the second coming of Mark Spitz.

Phelps’ first games were in 2000 in Sydney, Australia. While Phelps didn’t win a medal, he left his mark and made sure people knew he was coming in 2004. During those games, Phelps won six gold medals and two bronze ones. While many athletes would be thrilled by that outcome, Phelps voiced his desire to win all gold medals at his next games. He completed his goal, becoming the first athlete to win eight gold medals in one summer games.

Ryan Lochte

Swimming in the United States was at an all-time high in the 2010s because of Michael Phelps. However, it would be wrong to avoid giving credit to Ryan Lochte. While Phelps was justifiably getting the bulk of the media attention during the 2004 games in Beijing, Lochte was having quite the debut for himself. He proved to be a worthy opponent and teammate for Phelps during that year. Lochte won a gold medal and silver that year.

While it was clear Phelps was likely going to dominate the sport for a long time, many thought that Lochte would be there for it all as well. The duo were considered the best swimming pair in history, as they both had their own individual strengths in the sport. Lochte was known for being a freestyle specialist. However, it all came crashing down quickly for Lochte. Many folks wonder what would have happened if Lochte didn’t have as many slip-ups as he did.

Simone Biles

Swimming isn’t the only sport where athletes showcase their talents when they’re young. Gymnastics is famous for starring youngsters who can’t even drive themselves to practice. In 2016, Simone Biles was set to make her debut in the Summer Olympics. There was a ton of pressure on both her and her teammates since many fans felt like the United States was losing their place in the gymnastics world.

Biles delivered by bringing home four gold medals and asserting herself as one of the greatest gymnasts in history. She has continued to showcase her talents in other Summer Olympic Games and competitions around the world. Biles is going to become the fourth gymnast from the United States to participate in three different Summer Olympic Games when she hits the mats in Paris in 2024.

Magic Johnson

One of the most shocking moments in sports history was in 1991 when Magic Johnson announced his immediate retirement from the NBA after contracting HIV. That made Johnson’s decision to participate in the 1992 games even more shocking when the “Dream Team” was formed. During his time in the NBA, Johnson established himself as one of the greatest point guards in the history of the sport. His flashy passes were constantly talked about by fans and media members alike.

While Johnson was dealing with nagging injuries during the 1992 games, his presence was still enough to strike a positive chord with thousands of people around the world. He became the face of HIV and made it known that people suffering from the virus were still people. Tons of folks had someone to look up to when it seemed like the entire world was against them. Johnson’s presence at the games was more important than most give him credit for.

Michael Jordan

There was once a time when NBA players looked down on going to the Summer Olympics. It was instead reserved for college kids and those who weren’t playing professionally. While many people associate Michael Jordan with the 1992 “Dream Team,” he actually made his Summer Olympic debut in 1984. Jordan had just been drafted by the Chicago Bulls, with nobody truly knowing what was in store for the rest of his career. Jordan and the United States won gold that year.

However, Jordan is most arguably known for his contributions to the “Dream Team” in 1992. He was one of the first people to suggest NBA players should travel overseas and compete in the games. Many basketball historians credit Jordan and the team for spreading basketball to new places it had never been before. It’s why so many players in the NBA today are from overseas countries. Without Jordan, there’s no telling what the NBA would look like in 2024.

Dimitrios Loundras

Most people who are 10 are worrying about playing with their friends and learning how to multiply. Dimitrios Loundras wasn’t like most kids when he was growing up. Instead, Loundras spent time participating in the Olympics when he was 10 years old. He was a gymnast from Greece. While the games he participated in took place in 1986, Loundras still showed up and did his absolute best. He won a team bronze medal for his efforts in these games.

Loundras is still the youngest person to ever participate in the modern Summer Olympics. The 1896 games ended up being the only he ever partook in. He served his country in the military for many years, mainly during World War I. There’s no telling if anyone younger than Loundras will compete in the Summer Olympics. The most likely event for someone to is something like skeet shooting. Since it’s all about aim, anyone with a sharp eye can get in on the action.

Jesse Owens

Few times in human history have been scarier than watching the ascension of Germany’s power before World War II. In 1936, shortly before the war broke out, the Summer Olympics were held in Berlin. Jesse Owens found himself making his debut at that time. Some folks thought the German’s wouldn’t allow Owens to compete, since he was African-American. Instead, Owens competed and did amazing for the United States.

He won four gold medals during those games, which agitated many Germans. Tons of natives thought these games were going to show that white people were the more dominant race. Owens made sure to shut that narrative down. As time has gone on, Owens has become more celebrated for what he accomplished. He showed the world that the Germans could be defeated, a message that Americans took with them into battle.

Serena Williams

There’s no debate that Serena Williams is the greatest women’s tennis player in history. She has nearly every record in the book when it comes to majors. Fans had high expectations for Williams and her sister, Venus, when they entered the 2000 Sydney games. They were only slotted to take part in the doubles event. The sisters ran through the tournament, securing a gold medal for the United States.

While most people had heard of Williams before the games, she left no doubt in anyone’s mind when she stood on top of the podium. As time went on, Williams continued to take home title after title. The two sisters took home two more gold medals in doubles events, with Serena also bringing home an individual gold during the 2012 games. Since retiring, Williams has continued to be an ambassador for the game.

Kobe Bryant

By the time he retired, there was nothing Kobe Bryant hadn’t done in the game of basketball. One thing that took him longer than most star players to do was play in the Olympics. Bryant first entered the league in the 1990s, but didn’t take part in his first games until the 2008 “Redeem Team.” He didn’t play in 2000 because he was getting married. In 2004, Bryant was focussed on his assault case.

Once 2008 rolled around, there was nothing stopping Bryant and the United States from taking back what they felt was theirs. In 2004, Argentina beat the United States in the semi-finals. That team was led by Manu Ginobili. Bryant and the 2008 team took care of business when they took home gold. He was an integral part to the team’s success and dedication. Some wonder what would have happened in 2004 if Bryant had played.

LeBron James

One of the most successful athletes in history is LeBron James. However, his Summer Olympic didn’t get off to the start he wanted. James’ first games were in 2004, when the team lost to Argentina. James hadn’t become the player fans and others saw later on. All eyes were on James. It was the world’s first long glance at the prodigy that almost left high school early. These first games laid the groundwork for James to win two gold medals in future games.

During these games, James averaged 14 minutes per game. The reason James’ Summer Olympics debut is so memorable is because there are tons of fans who think James could have propelled the United States to victory in the semifinal game against Argentina. He had already shown the ability to play with grown men in the NBA. For more sports content, click here to read about the oldest athletes in the history of the Olympics.

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