The top athletes in the world will be competing at the LA Olympics in 2028. Fresh off the end of the 2024 Paris Olympics, you might be wondering how you can compete in 2028.

Unsurprisingly, being an lOympian requires you to be incredibly fit, dedicated, and hard working. But depending on your sport, qualifying for the Olympics can be a multifaceted process that involves meeting performance standards, participating in key competitions, and adhering to specific criteria set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and international sports federations. 

With the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles on the horizon, understanding the qualification process for both traditional and new sports is essential. Here's what you should know:

The International Olympic Committee allocates spots

The International Olympic Committee determines the sports of each Olympics, and formally invites each national committee about a year before the Games to begin selecting and supporting athletes. Generally, each country has a maximum number of athletes they can bring for each sport, but no minimum; all athletes must pass the qualification criteria for their sport to be included in a national delegation. However, there are two exceptions:

Universality Places 

To promote global representation, the IOC reserves some spots for athletes from countries that do not have qualified participants in certain sports. These "universality places" ensure that athletes from underrepresented regions have the opportunity to compete in the Games.

Host Country Quotas 

The host country usually receives automatic qualification spots in select events to encourage local participation and engage the home audience. This ensures that the Games have a strong local presence and fosters excitement among local fans.

National Olympic Committees choose their team

Each country's National Olympic Committee (NOC) is central to the qualification process. NOCs oversee the qualification of their athletes and ensure compliance with the required standards and criteria. Countries may have centralized training camps and centers for various sports, and hire coaches for the national team.

How Athletes Qualify

Athletes typically qualify by meeting performance standards set by their sport's international federation. For example, in athletics, 50% of the qualification spots are allocated based on athletes achieving specific entry standards within a set period, while the other 50% depend on world rankings. These standards are periodically updated to reflect the evolving competitive landscape.

Many sports have designated qualification events, including World Championships, Continental Championships, or Olympic Qualifier Series. Others have qualification events within the nation; for example, Simone Biles qualified for the USA gymnastics team through her performance in the US Championships, and then in the US Olympic Trials.

What you should do

For athletes aiming to compete in the Olympics, thorough preparation is essential. Understand the specific qualification criteria for your sport, participate in key competitions, and stay informed about any updates to the qualification process. Engage with national and international sports organizations, to help navigate the qualification landscape effectively.

Qualifying for the Olympics is certainly challenging; it involves meeting rigorous standards and navigating a complex system of competitions. But it's certainly not impossible. The youngest olympian in Paris was 11; the oldest, 65. Andrea Proske began rowing as a hobby at 27 and won Gold in the Women’s 8s at Tokyo 2020 at the age of 35.

Get started! We'll see you on stage in 2028.

Team USA Women’s Basketball Makes It Eight Straight Golds 

In a thrilling comeback, the U.S. women’s basketball team overcame a 10-point deficit in the third quarter to clinch a dramatic 67–66 victory over France. This marked their eighth consecutive Olympic gold, driven by star players A'ja Wilson, Kahleah Copper, and Breanna Stewart. Brittney Griner’s emotional celebration after the win added poignancy to the triumph, following her ordeal in Russian custody the previous year.

Katie Ledecky Breaks Records as Most Decorated American Female Olympian 

Katie Ledecky cemented her legacy by winning her ninth gold and 14th overall Olympic medal, claiming victory in the 800-meter freestyle. This achievement made Ledecky the most decorated American female athlete in history, tied for the most Olympic golds won by any woman (Larisa Latynina of USSR).

Mondo Duplantis breaks his own 6.25 meter pole vault world record 

Mondo Duplantis of Sweden made pole vaulting history by breaking his own 6.24 meter world record after he already secured the gold medal. Mondo raised his arms to get the crowd to cheer louder and emulated the audience’s excitement to power him over the highest pole vault bar to ever have been crossed. 

Simone Biles “The Greatest of All Time”

Biles came to Paris as the most decorated gymnast ever and left with another three Olympic gold medals and a silver, solidifying her place as the greatest athlete the sport has ever seen. Her remarkable journey has become one of the defining stories of the 2024 Games.

After pulling out of several events at the Tokyo Olympics due to the "twisties," a mental block that caused her to lose track in the air, Biles took time away from gymnastics to prioritize her mental health. In Paris, she returned stronger than ever, leading Team USA to a brilliant gold in the team event before securing individual golds in the all-around and vault, along with a silver in floor exercise. Her comeback has transcended sports, becoming a powerful testament to the importance of therapy, mental health, and resilience.

Novak Djokovic Completes Career Golden Slam

In a monumental match, Novak Djokovic earned his first Olympic gold, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in a nearly three-hour battle. This win secured Djokovic’s place in tennis history, joining an elite group of players who have achieved the coveted "golden slam."

Turkish Shooter Yusuf Dikeç Becomes a Viral Sensation 

Yusuf Dikeç’s laidback approach to shooting—complete with one hand in his pocket—made him an unexpected celebrity in Paris. His relaxed stance belied his skill, as he went on to win a silver medal, inspiring imitations from athletes like pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis.

Alice Finot’s Record-Breaking Run Ends in a Romantic Proposal 

French runner Alice Finot broke the European record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase final before proposing to her boyfriend in the stands. Although she missed out on a medal, her memorable moment will go down in Olympic history for the personal triumph it represented.

Gabriel Medina’s Perfect 10 Pose Goes Viral

Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina created a viral moment after delivering a near-perfect 9.90-scoring wave, the highest in Olympic history. His celebratory leap from his board, captured in a stunning photograph, was an iconic image of the Games.

Seine River Challenges 

The effort to revive swimming in the Seine for the first time in over a century hit some setbacks as water quality issues postponed key events. However, despite initial doubts, the triathlon eventually went ahead with improved conditions, highlighting the challenges of hosting outdoor events in a historic river. Viewers compared the Seine issues with Diplo’s recent viral Tik Tok video from Basel, Switzerland where people regularly swim to work in the Rhine River with a Wickefisch bag.

Refugee Olympic Team Claims First-Ever Medal 

Cindy Ngamba made history by winning the first-ever medal for the Refugee Olympic Team. Her victory in the women’s 75-kilogram boxing quarterfinal where she secured a bronze medal, highlighted the perseverance of athletes from displaced backgrounds. There are more than 115M forcibly displaced people around the world and 37 athletes represented the Refugee Olympic Team. 

The U.S. Reaches an Unparalleled 3,000 Olympic Medals 

Team USA became the first nation to surpass 3,000 Olympic medals. This milestone further solidified the country’s dominance in the Games, with no other nation even halfway to this remarkable total.

Controversy and Innovation at the Opening Ceremony 

The Paris Olympics opened with a controversial yet unique ceremony featuring French entertainer Philippe Katerine as Dionysus—aka the "semi-naked blue guy." His glittering performance drew criticism from religious groups but sparked conversations about art and peace.

Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif Becomes an Unlikely Face of the Games

Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, became an unexpected standout at the 2024 Paris Olympics. After Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew from their bout within just 46 seconds, Khelif faced an onslaught of online abuse from transphobic commentators who falsely claimed she had an unfair physical advantage. Despite the controversy, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) strongly supported her participation, stating Khelif was “born female, registered female, lived her life as a female, boxed as a female, and has a female passport.”

With the world's eyes on her, Khelif powered through the competition, winning the women’s 66kg welterweight gold medal, and receiving tremendous support from fans. Her victory marked a triumph not just in sport but also in challenging widespread misinformation. Following her gold medal win, Khelif filed a legal complaint with Paris prosecutors citing “aggravated online harassment.”

As the 2024 Paris Olympics came to a close, the Games left an indelible mark on the world of sports and beyond. Legendary athletes like Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky solidified their places in history, while inspiring newcomers like Imane Khelif and the Refugee Olympic Team reminded us of the unifying power of the Olympics. These stories of triumph, resilience, and breaking barriers will resonate long after the medals have been awarded, proving once again that the Olympic spirit extends far beyond the competition.

Breaking

Breaking, commonly known as break dancing, made its Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games, bringing the street dance culture to a global stage.

• Location: Held at the iconic Place de La Concorde, alongside skateboarding, cycling BMX freestyle, and 3x3 basketball.

• Format: Breaking featured solo battles, judged based on five criteria: vocabulary (range of moves), technique (athleticism), execution (smoothness), originality, and musicality (ability to adapt to the beat).

Winners:Phil Wizard from Canada took gold for the men, and Ami Yuasa from Japan won gold for the women.

Skateboarding

After debuting at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, skateboarding returned in Paris with a more refined scoring system.

• Location: Also hosted at Place de La Concorde.

• Format: Skateboarding included two events: street and park. Competitors had 45-second runs and attempts at tricks, scored on speed, difficulty, and execution. Unlike Tokyo, the 2024 Games used a 0-300 scoring range, adding more complexity.

• Winners: Keegan Palmer from Australia won gold for the men, while fellow Australian Arisa Trew secured gold for the women.

Sport Climbing

Sport climbing, which made its first appearance in Tokyo, evolved in Paris with the introduction of separate competitions for speed and a combined boulder-lead event.

• Location: Held at the custom-built Le Bourget venue.

• Format: Athletes competed in three categories—bouldering, speed, and lead—with the combined winner crowned based on performance in the boulder and lead events. Speed had its own set of medals.

Winners: Toby Roberts of Great Britain won the men's combined event, while Janja Garnbret from Slovenia claimed the women's combined gold. Indonesia's Veddriq Leonardo won men’s gold while Poland’s Aleksandra Miroslaw won women’s gold in the Olympics inaugural speed climbing event.

Surfing

After debuting at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, surfing returned to the Paris 2024 Olympics in Tahiti, French Polynesia.

• Location: Teahupo'o known for its consistent 2-7 meter waves and is the center of many surfing competitions.

• Format: Surfing included one event: shortboard. Competitors have 20-35 minutes depending on the conditions to catch waves, and there is no limit to the number of waves they can catch. They are scored on a 0.0-10.0 scale for each wave. 

• Winners: Kauli Vaast from French Polynesia, the hometown favorite won the men’s gold for mens, while Caroline Marks from the US won the women’s gold womens

Kayak Cross

Kayak cross made its Olympic debut in Paris, bringing a new edge to canoe slalom.

• Format: Athletes race head-to-head across a course with six downstream gates and two upstream gates, adding a layer of strategy to the fast-paced race.

• Favorites: Noémie Fox of Australia and Finn Butcher of New Zealand won women’s and men’s gold respectively

Other Sports and Changes

• 3x3 Basketball: After its successful introduction in Tokyo, 3x3 basketball returned with both men’s and women’s teams battling it out at La Concorde.

• Artistic Swimming: For the first time, men were included in artistic swimming, adding a fresh dynamic to this event.

• Track and Field: The marathon race walk mixed relay replaced the men’s 50km event, introducing a new format to the sport.

• Sailing and Shooting: Additional events, such as mixed kite events in sailing and mixed skeet in shooting, brought diversity to their respective disciplines.

With these sports joining the lineup, the Paris 2024 Olympics reflected a broader appeal, blending traditional and modern athletic feats while capturing the imagination of younger and diverse audiences.

The 2024 Paris Olympics were a pivotal moment for gymnastics, especially for the U.S. team, which had a remarkable performance by clinching a record-setting 10 medals, including three golds. This resurgence was highlighted by the triumphant return of Simone Biles, who not only overcame significant mental and physical challenges, following her drop at the 2020 Olympics. Biles reaffirmed her status as one of the sport’s greatest athletes.

U.S. Dominance

Simone Biles was the standout star, making an inspiring return after her break from competitive gymnastics. Biles excelled in the individual all-around and vault competition, capturing gold medals in each event. Suni Lee also had an exceptional performance, winning the bronze medals in the individual all-around and uneven bars events. Their success was not just a personal victory but a significant boost for U.S. gymnastics, showcasing resilience and exceptional skill.

The U.S. women’s team delivered an impressive performance in the team competition, securing gold and underscoring their status as a powerhouse in women’s gymnastics. Meanwhile, the men’s team earned a bronze medal in the team all-around competition, marking the first time the U.S. men’s team had medaled in this event since the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Global Competition

The 2024 Olympics were not just about U.S. success; they highlighted the continued prowess of gymnasts from around the world. Japan, China, and Russia maintained their long-standing dominance in the sport, showcasing a high level of competition and artistry. Japan, in particular, impressed with their disciplined and precise routines, while China’s athletes demonstrated their technical expertise and strength.

Emerging countries like Brazil, Italy, and Great Britain also made their presence felt on the global stage. Brazil’s gymnasts delivered standout performances, contributing to the country’s growing reputation in the sport. Italy and Great Britain, too, showed significant progress, with strong showings that added a new dimension to the gymnastics competition and demonstrated the sport’s expanding global reach.

The future of gymnastics

Despite the successes of the 2024 Olympics, gymnastics faces ongoing challenges. In the U.S., the number of high school and college gymnastics programs has been declining. Outside of the Olympics, there really aren't viable career options for full-time gymnasts. However, the renewed interest sparked by the Olympic performances offers hope. In particular, the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, which were previously restricted, presents a new opportunity for gymnasts. These deals allow athletes to earn income from endorsements and personal appearances, providing financial support that can help them train full-time.

The increased visibility of gymnastics could lead to greater investment in programs and infrastructure, potentially reversing the trend of declining participation.

The 2024 Paris Olympics marked a significant milestone for U.S. gymnastics, reaffirming its status as a dominant force in the sport. However, the future of gymnastics depends on continued efforts to promote and grow the sport across all levels. Let's see if the US can shine even brighter in 2028!

The Refugee Olympic Team, established in 2016 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF), stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of forcibly displaced athletes. This groundbreaking initiative, supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), aims to provide a platform for refugees to showcase their talents on the world's greatest sporting stage.

The establishment of the Refugee Olympic Team came in response to the global refugee crisis, where 115M people are forcibly displaced people. The IOC recognized the need to support athletes affected by these crises and created the team as a symbol of solidarity and hope.

The Rise of the Refugee Olympic Team

The inaugural team, composed of ten athletes, made its debut at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Their participation marked a historic moment, drawing attention to the plight of millions of displaced people around the world. Despite not winning any medals in their first two appearances, the Refugee Olympic Team has grown in size, visibility, and popularity, inspiring countless individuals.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, 37 athletes represented the Refugee Olympics Team. One of the most significant achievements of the Team at this games was when Boxer Cindy Ngamba won a bronze medal in the women's 75kg category, becoming the first refugee athlete to reach the Olympic podium. This historic victory not only showcased the incredible talent and determination of refugee athletes but also served as a powerful symbol of hope for millions of displaced people.

The Refugee Olympic Team's success is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of its members. Many of these athletes have faced unimaginable challenges, including displacement, trauma, and discrimination. Yet, through their dedication to sport, they have overcome these obstacles and achieved remarkable feats.

Cindy Ngamba shared about her childhood, “I felt like at any moment immigration was going to send me back to a country that I left when I was little. I had to sign every week at the Home Office in Manchester to let them know that I was still in the UK. One time I was sent to a female detention camp where I met other women who had been there for many, many years, and some of them were going to be sent back to their country. I felt helpless…Boxing pressure does not compare to what I felt at that detention camp”

The Refugee Olympic Team’s participation in the Olympic Games has also raised awareness of the refugee crisis and the urgent need for global solidarity. By highlighting the human stories behind these athletes, the Refugee Olympic Team has inspired millions of people to support refugees and displaced individuals.

As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of forced displacement, the Refugee Olympic Team remains a beacon of hope. Their success demonstrates that even in the face of adversity, it is possible to achieve greatness. The team's legacy will continue to inspire generations to come, reminding us of the power of sport to unite people, transcend boundaries, and bring about positive change.