The 24 most iconic images from Paris after the epic 2024 Olympics, from Céline Dion to an incredible surfing photo and Team GB's joy

AS the Olympic Games in Paris come to a close, the Games have once again delivered an astonishing variety of stories.

From surprise medal wins to heroic comebacks to excruciating heartbreak, the Olympics have once again delivered.

Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina has probably taken the most famous photo of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.Photo credit: AFP

Yusuf Dikec became known for his relaxed pose when he won silver in the air pistol finalPhoto credit: BBC

The men’s 100-metre sprint final lived up to its reputation as the most eagerly awaited event of the Games.Photo credit: Getty

Silver medalist Yaqin Zhou of China looked on and then followed Italian gold medalist Alice D'Amato and bronze medalist Manila Esposito by biting her medal — Silver medalist Yaqin Zhou of China looked on and then followed Italian gold medalist Alice D’Amato and bronze medalist Manila Esposito by biting her medalPhoto credit: Getty

But the story is probably best told through the pictures taken by photographers at the Games.

Even at the rainy opening ceremony in the French capital, the snappers were in top form.

They captured the majesty of Paris during the four-hour floating opening ceremony on the Seine before Céline Dion performed at the Eiffel Tower.

The photographers also captured the weather conditions to the fullest. In one image, the Parisian landmark was illuminated at night while lightning flashed in the background.

However, the games themselves were in no way inferior.

Ironically, however, perhaps the best of all came not from Paris but from Tahiti, where surfing bronze medalist Gabriel Medina was photographed floating in the air on July 29 after setting his Olympic wave record.

Back in Paris, one of the most striking images was the relaxed pose of Turkish air pistol silver medalist Yusuf Dikec.

Dikec adopted a casual stance as he aimed his pistol, his other hand in his pocket. Unlike many of his rivals, who wore contact lenses to support their medal hopes, they had no desire to rub their fingers raw.

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The final of the men’s 100-meter sprint was arguably the most eagerly awaited event of the Games, after American Noah Lyles came into the spotlight with his criticism of the NBA’s title of “world champion.”

And the final lived up to expectations, with Lyles winning the gold medal by just 0.005 seconds as all eight sprinters clocked sub-10-second times, captured in a photograph showing the race unfolding.

Gold medal haul of the British team at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris Gold 14

Legendary US team gymnast Simone Biles also made her comeback at the Games, adding three gold and one silver medals to her already impressive Olympic career.

But it was their silver medal pose with fellow countryman Jordan Chiles (now stripped of his bronze medal) and Brazilian gold medalist Rebeca Andrade, with the Americans posing as if they were presenting the winner, that captured the Olympic spirit.

Another moment on the medal podium came when China’s Yaqin Zhou glanced at Italy’s gold and bronze medalists Alice D’Amato and Manila Esposito biting into their medals before doing the same.

Team GB also had its share of iconic moments.

From the image of Kelly Hodgkinson crossing the finish line and winning gold in the women’s 800m, to Emily Campbell winning bronze in the women’s weightlifting, to Kimberly Woods winning silver and bronze in the women’s slalom.

There was also the men’s and women’s 4x100m, who won bronze and silver respectively and shared a group photo at the trackside, and Toby Roberts’ surprise victory in the climbing, which gave the British team its 14th gold medal.

Gymnastics, diving, swimming, sailing, boxing, skateboarding, kiting, horse riding and many more were also in the spotlight.

And now we have to wait four long years before we can do it all again.