40 International Going For The Gold HUG students experience the 2024 Paris Olympics firsthand. The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France took place from July 26 through Aug. 11. A select group of students experienced the athletic events live while participating in the summer session of the studyabroad program Harding University Greece (HUG). Sophomore Jasper Miller was among the students who attended and spoke highly of his experience. “My experience was amazing and by far one of the coolest things I have ever done and probably will ever do,” Miller said. As for the specific athletic events, Miller enjoyed watching the rugby and basketball games. “I got to watch women’s rugby and the 3v3 basketball tournament that Adidas hosted,” Miller said. “Rugby was my favorite to watch because it was hosted in a massive soccer stadium. Seeing all the different countries’ fans coming into one stadium and cheering for other nations was amazing, and the energy was unmatched.” Dr. Cindy White, chair of the Chemistry Department and one of the faculty sponsors of the trip, also spoke highly of the Paris Olympics. “Attending the Olympic Games was amazing,” White said. “I have watched the Olympics every year since I was a child, so to attend the games was a dream come true.” White enjoyed the events, and she encouraged everyone to attend if given the opportunity. “I definitely recommend that everyone try to experience the Olympics,” White said. “We had so much fun that my husband and I are already thinking that we are going to try to go to the 2028 Summer Olympics in L.A.” Another HUG student who viewed the games live in Paris was junior Julia Adair. She appreciated watching the table tennis matches featuring North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong and China. “I wasn’t super excited beforehand, but it was incredible,” Adair said. “During commercial breaks, the lights [were] like a show and [the stadium played] music.” She described the Olympics as a must-attend event for anyone who ever has the chance. “I 1000 percent recommend seeing the Olympics if you can,” Adair said. “It’s so fun to cheer for your country, and it feels like a giant holiday for the whole world.” At the end of the global spectacle, Team USA had the highest medal count of the 2024 Summer Olympics with 40 gold medals, 44 silver medals and 41 bronze medals. HUG students and faculty agreed that the rare opportunity to witness the games elevated their abroad experience and became an unforgettable memory. Written by Max Thweatt
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