Every Olympics leaves distinct memories. Here’s a selection that Paris 2024 will be most remembered for:

Men’s Doubles final: Lee Yang/Wang Chi-Lin bt Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang

It will be remembered as one of the greatest-ever men’s doubles matches, given the occasion and the context. The stadium was crackling with energy as the two pairs faced off under immense pressure. The miracle was that both pairs could actually perform close to their best under these conditions. Lee Yang was immense, heroically shepherding his partner even as Wang appeared to flag in the second game. Eventually, a couple of points were all that separated the two pairs (21-17 18-21 21-19), with Lee/Wang making history as the first men’s doubles pair to win two gold medals.

Men’s doubles bronze: Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik bt Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen

Denmark had all but captured the bronze, holding four match points in the second game before the Malaysians pulled out one of the most unlikely comebacks (16-21 22-20 21-19) against a pair that’s known to be stable under pressure.

Mixed Doubles semifinal: Kim Won Ho/Jeong Na Eun bt Seo Seung Jae/Chae Yu Jung

World champions Seo/Chae were favourites to progress to the final, and with a 5-0 record over Kim/Jeong, were expected to cruise through without trouble. The younger pair, however, dug deep and matched Seo/Chae shot for shot, keeping their composure even after the world champions had saved two match points and held one of their own. Prevailing 21-16 20-22 23-21.

Women’s Doubles Group D: Maiken Fruergaard/Sara Thygesen bt Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Rawinda Prajongjai

The score says it all – every game going to extra points and the match decided by the narrowest of margins. This was a match where the Thais were fighting to stay alive in the competition, while the Danes could potentially top the group. After a marathon 93 minutes, the Danes emerged triumphant: 20-22 23-21 24-22.

Women’s Singles Group H: Kim Ga Eun bt Goh Jin Wei

With a Round of 16 place at stake, Kim Ga Eun and Goh Jin Wei faced off in one of the most memorable group matches. Kim did well to recover from 15-18 in the second to hold match point, but the Malaysian took it to a decider. Kim appeared headed for victory with a healthy lead but Goh caught up once again and held two match points. In a final twist the Korean wrested back the advantage to come away a winner at 21-17 20-22 23-21.

Men’s Doubles Group D: Lee Yang/Wang Chi-Lin bt Liu Yu Chen/Ou Xuan Yi

Not for nothing was men’s doubles Group D called the ‘Group of Death’. Defending champions Lee/Wang were up against Liu Yu Chen – whom they had faced in the Tokyo 2020 final – and Ou Xuan Yi. The third game was neck-and-neck all the way before Lee/Wang edged ahead: 17-21 21-17 24-22.

Other Memorable Matches:

WD Group C: Kim So Yeong/Kong Hee Yong bt Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida (JPN) 24-22 26-24

XD Group A: Rinov Rivaldy/Pitha Haningtyas Mentari (INA) bt Kim Won Ho/Jeong Na Eun (KOR) 22-20 14-21 21-19

MS Group H: Toma Junior Popov (FRA) bt Anthony Ginting (INA) 21-19 17-21 21-15

WS R16: Gregoria Mariska Tunjung (INA) bt Kim Ga Eun (KOR) 21-4 8-21 23-21

XD Group C: Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino (JPN) bt Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet (HKG) 21-17 14-21 21-18

WS Group G: Polina Buhrova (UKR) bt Tereza Svabikova (CZE) 21-19 19-21 21-18

MD Group D: Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (DEN) bt Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi 21-19 22-20

WS R16: Aya Ohori (JPN) bt Yeo Jia Min (SGP) 11-21 21-14 24-22