The 2024 Paris Olympics is now complete. The two weeks of competition in 329 events across 32 sports provided ample entertainment and intensity, viewed by millions of people around the world.

When the final tally of medals was made, the U.S. had won 126 total, including 40 gold medals. It's the most won by the U.S. since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, which is marked with an asterisk because it was boycotted by several Eastern Bloc countries.

As the dust from the games settles, and as we approach future Olympics games, here are five takeaways to consider.

Both the U.S. swimming and track and field teams performed at the highest levels. Swimmers garnered 28 medals, while track and field athletes took home 34 medals, collectively representing nearly one-half of the U.S. medals haul.

In 19 events, nine of them track events, U.S. athletes took two of the three podium spots. Such swimmers as Katie Ledecky and track athletes as Gabby Thomas certainly showcased performances that gave U.S. viewers plenty to cheer for. Gymnast Simon Biles’s three gold and one silver also drew the attention of the nation. And in both men’s skeet shooting and women’s foil individual, Americans took home both the gold and silver, suggesting that sports excellence runs up and down the Olympic event portfolio.

Many of the competitors came through the NCAA college sports........

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