We chat Paris Olympics 2024 highlights

That's a wrap on another exhilarating Olympic season, and Paris 2024 has truly outdone itself, providing a stunning backdrop for unforgettable performances, awe-inspiring athletic feats, and a celebration of global unity that will be remembered for years to come.

Did you enjoy the swimming at the Paris Olympics?

Did you cheer on Adam Peaty [GBR]? Were you amazed by the dominance of Leon Marchand [FRA]? Did you know that Summer Mcintosh [CAN], who won 3 gold and 1 silver medals is only 17 years old and this was her second Olympic games?  

Do you know the story of Eric Moussambani Malonga who swam in the Syndey Olympics in 2000 for his country Equatorial Guinea?

The International Olympic Committee were looking to support the development of sport and athletes in the majority world who had been underrepresented at the games. To do this they arranged for a ‘wild card’ entry system whereby those athletes who did not meet the minimum qualification requirements could still take part.

Eric heard the call out on national radio for people who would be interested in representing their country by swimming in the Olympic games.

The only problem was, Eric couldn’t swim.

Still, he showed up at the trials, only to discover he was the only applicant!

Eric was going to the Olympics!

He had 8 months to learn to swim and to train, however there was no 50m pool in his country. So the only way he could practice was to use the 12m pool at a hotel, which he was allowed to do for 1 hour, 3 times a week.

Before arriving at the Olympics, he had never seen a 50m pool, yet here he was, needing to swim two whole lengths – the 100m Freestyle.

To make matters worse, he didn’t even have the right kit, so the South African Coach lent him some trunks to replace his boardshorts.

He lined up for his heat and his two competitors were disqualified for diving in before the gun had gone off. To win his heat, all Eric needed to do, was successfully swim two lengths of the pool.

Is there a more appropriate use of the phrase ‘out of your depth’?     

Eric completed the swim in 1:52:72 (watch it here) – more than a minute slower than the world record and ‘Eric the Eel’ was born!

In Paris 2024, a new world record of 46:40 was set by Pan Zhanle [CHI].

Sadly, despite winning his heat Eric was not able to progress in the competition, but after the Syndey games, Eric actually continued swimming and he became a swimming icon in Equatorial Guinea 

Four years later set a PB of 52:18, a time which would have won him the gold medal at the 1950 games.

In 2012 he became the National Swimming Coach and has championed swimming in Equatorial Guinea. 

Have you ever felt out of your depth?

Have you ever felt like you’ve arrived at a big moment in your life and felt woefully underprepared for it? 

Eric demonstrated determination and a total willingness to #Giveitago.

At Sportily we love to see people jumping in and giving it a go, that’s why #Giveitago is one of our mottos.

Why not have a look at our list of activities now and see how you might give something new a go in the coming weeks.