Top 10 | The sports personalities of 2024

Athletes have become international stars, models and sometimes even business leaders. They are often the ones who dictate the popularity and interest in a sport or team. Here are the 10 personalities from the sporting world who marked, in their own way, the year 2024.

10. Novak Djokovic

Statistically speaking, Djokovic’s year will not go down in history. But his triumph at the Paris Olympic Games, yes. On the clay court of Roland-Garros, he won the only title missing from his impressive collection. His only motivation this year was Olympic gold. And he touched it. Remember his reaction after beating Carlos Alcaraz? His hands were trembling. Her tears were flowing. His clan was ecstatic. A big victory.

9. Lewis Hamilton

The British driver created a real shockwave when he announced his departure from the Mercedes team at the end of the season to join the Ferrari team from 2025. The 39-year-old living legend was thus making a dream come true. Hamilton nevertheless offered some good races in the German single-seater this season. We only have to think of his victory at home, at Silverstone. His first title since 2021. He repeated the feat later in Belgium.

8. Mikaela Shiffrin

In 2024 alone, Shiffrin has won 6 of the 12 races she has entered. Her six World Cup victories are titles acquired in slalom, while she took part in eight competitions. She was obviously given a crystal globe, her 16^e in career. At 29, Shiffrin is looking for a 100^e title. Never seen before. Once again this year, she was one of the most dominant athletes on the planet.

7. Caitlin Clark

In the same year, the American basketball player was selected first overall in the WNBA draft, she won the Rookie of the Year award, she was named to the first all-star team, she smashed the record for the number of assists in a single season in addition to becoming the best rookie scorer in league history. Starring at the University of Iowa, she lived up to expectations in 2024.

6. Connor McDavid

A total of 132 points in 76 regular season games, but above all a harvest of 42 points in 25 playoff games, a production good for fourth in National Hockey League history. The Edmonton Oilers captain carried his team on his bruised back to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, only to fall short by a single goal. McDavid obviously won the Conn Smythe Trophy given to the playoff MVP.

5. Patrick Mahomes

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is already the most accomplished player of his generation. In February, he led his team to a second consecutive title by defeating the San Francisco 49ers in overtime. Mahomes also earned his third Super Bowl MVP award with a performance that included 333 air yards and two touchdown passes. Again this season, the Chiefs are the favorites.

4. Summer McIntosh

She was the brightest star in the Canadian sky during the Paris Olympic Games. The expectations placed on the 17-year-old swimmer were considerable and she responded in masterful fashion. Three gold medals: 200 meter medley, 400 meter medley and 200 meter butterfly. She became the first Canadian athlete to win three gold medals at the same Olympic Games. And that’s not to mention his silver medal in the 400-meter freestyle.

3. Shohei Ohtani

He is undoubtedly the best baseball player we will have seen in our lifetime. Every time the $700 million man steps to the plate, something magical happens. Like his winning grand slam to reach the club of 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases. Or his game of 3 circuits and 10 RBIs to cross the 50/50 mark. He ultimately won the World Series and the National MVP title.

2. Leon Marchand

We knew him by name. He now has international fame. Léon Marchand was the best story of the Paris Games. The king of the oceans became the first French athlete to win four gold medals at the same Games. In the swimming pool at Paris La Défense, the cries of the French partisans were almost like a long whistle, they were so loud and piercing. The 22-year-old phenom finished with five medals in total.

1. Scottie Scheffler

Seven victories, a second green jacket, no cuts in 19 tournaments, an Olympic gold medal, the Presidents Cup and first place in the world. He has just had the best season since Tiger Woods in 2000. The American even spent time in prison in May. That day, he shot a 66 at the PGA Championship. Really, nothing is proof against it. And no one on the planet plays golf better than him.