Olympics, Man City's 4-Time Champions & Popular Sporting Events Of 2024
Kenyans proved why they are the best in athletics in 2024 at the Olympics while Manchester City won the Premier League for a fourth-consecutive time
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
2024 was a memorable year in the sporting environment across the world as most of the attention was turned to the Paris Olympics, the English Premier League (EPL) and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), among others.
Kenyans proved why they are the best in athletics in 2024 at the Olympics while Manchester City won the Premier League for a fourth-consecutive time...something no English team had done in the competition's history.
Moreover, AFCON was watched by Kenyans this year because it served as a taste of what Kenyans should expect when the country hosts it in 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
Viral Tea takes a look at the major sporting events that drew the attention of Kenyans in 2024:
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
This was the 34th edition of the biennial African association football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It was hosted by Ivory Coast for the second time and the first since 1984, beginning on January 13.
Ivory Coast national football team players celebrate with the AFCON trophy. /NEW YORK TIMES
The 2024 tournament saw a total number of 24 countries, placed in 6 groups battle for the coveted African title, this time round, in enthralling fashion. The knockout rounds commenced on January 27, with the grand finale taking place on February 11 in Abidjan.
Notably, the host nation Ivory Coast which was hosting the tournament for the second time and the first since 1984, emerged victorious defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the Final.
This victory marked Côte d'Ivoire's third AFCON title, with previous wins in 1992 and 2015. Winning on home soil was particularly significant, as it mirrored Egypt's achievement in 2006.
Hosting the tournament was seen as an opportunity for Côte d'Ivoire to showcase its infrastructure and stimulate economic growth through investments made for the occasion. Kenya, which will co-host the 2027 edition together with neighbouring Tanzania and Uganda, missed 2024’s edition.
Safari Rally
The 2024 Safari Rally, held from March 28 to 31 in Kenya, was the third round of the 2024 World Rally Championship (WRC). Based in Naivasha, Nakuru County, the event featured 19 special stages covering a competitive distance of 355.92 kilometres.
Key Highlights:
Overall Victory: Kalle Rovanperä and co-driver Jonne Halttunen, representing Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, secured first place with a total time of 3 hours, 36 minutes, and 4 seconds.
Podium Finishers:
- 2nd Place: Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT), finishing 1 minute and 37.8 seconds behind the leaders.
- 3rd Place: Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria (M-Sport Ford WRT), trailing by 2 minutes and 25.1 seconds.
WRC-2 Category: Gus Greensmith and Jonas Andersson (Toksport WRT) emerged victorious, completing the rally in 3 hours, 54 minutes, and 9.4 seconds.
WRC-3 Category: Hamza Anwar and Adnan Din clinched the win with a time of 6 hours, 16 minutes, and 11.8 seconds.
The 2024 edition of the Safari Rally was notable for its challenging terrain and unpredictable conditions, living up to its reputation as one of the most demanding events in the WRC calendar.
The rally's return to its traditional March slot added a new dynamic, with teams and drivers adapting strategies to navigate the unique Kenyan landscape.
Manchester City's 4th Premier League Title In A Row
Manchester City achieved a historic milestone in the 2023/24 Premier League season by becoming the first team to win four consecutive league titles, a feat they secured on the final day with a 3-1 victory over West Ham United, extending their unbeaten run to 35 games across all competitions.
However, they had to do so the hard way, capitalising on Arsenal's 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa in mid-April to power their way up the league table. Once they took the summit, it was impossible to bring them back down.
Instrumental throughout the season, Phil Foden was named the Football Writers' Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season whereas Erling Haaland continued his prolific form, securing the Premier League Golden Boot for the second consecutive season with 27 league goals.
Pep Guardiola was honoured as the Premier League Manager of the Season for the second consecutive year and the fifth time overall, underscoring his tactical acumen and leadership.
Overall, the 2023/24 season further solidified Manchester City's dominance in English football, with significant contributions from key players and strategic leadership from Guardiola.
Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Perhaps the pinnacle of sporting events, the Olympics returned in 2024, taking centre stage from July 26 to August 11 in France. With Paris as the main host city and 16 others across France, the Paris 2024 Olympics served as an unparalleled spectacle of summer and winter sports competitions.
Furthermore, more than 200 teams competed, making this global event a beacon of unity, athleticism, and international camaraderie.
Kenya once again demonstrated its athletic prowess on the world stage, emerging as Africa’s top-performing nation at the Paris Olympics. With a total of 11 medals, including 4 golds, Kenya not only led the continent in the medal tally but also reinforced its reputation as a global powerhouse in athletics.
Of notable mentions are Faith Kipyegon who put out an impressive showing at the Paris Olympics where she secured an Olympic gold and set a record in the 1500m (3:51.29) in the process. Moreover, she cemented her status as one of the greatest Kenyan athletes of all time by becoming a three-time Olympic champion.
The Kenyan star won the 1500m title at the 2016 Rio Games and 2021 Tokyo Olympics. This win ensured she stamped her dominance in the distance, becoming the first Kenyan to win three gold medals at the Olympics.
Faith Kipyegon crossing the finish line during the women's 1500m final on August 10, 2024. /WORLD ATHLETICS
That's not all, Beatrice Chebet in one week clinched two gold medals; in the 5,000m and 10,000m races, becoming the first athlete to win two individual gold medals in the Paris Olympics.
The games also delivered a show-stopper; the men's 100m final which was a historic and thrilling event, culminating in one of the closest finishes in Olympic history. American sprinter Noah Lyles clinched the gold with a personal best time of 9.79 seconds.
The race concluded in a dramatic photo finish, with Lyles edging out Jamaica's Kishane Thompson by just five-thousandths of a second. This final was remarkable for its depth of talent, with all eight competitors finishing under 10 seconds, a first in Olympic history.
Super Bowl
Amidst the football frenzy, the National Football League’s (NFL) Super Bowl LVIII took centre stage on February 11 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Super Bowl is the annual league championship game of the National Football League (NFL) of the United States.
This annual final NFL clash of gridiron titans has been a spectacle since 1966, drawing millions of global viewers. Winning teams are further awarded the Vince Lombardi Trophy, named after the eponymous coach who won the first two Super Bowls.
In a rematch of Super Bowl LIV from four years earlier, the American Football Conference (AFC) champion and defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs defeated the National Football Conference (NFC) champion San Francisco 49ers 25–22 in overtime.
Beyond the touchdowns, what sets the Super Bowl apart is the halftime show performances from renowned international artists. Notably, American R&B singer Usher headlined the 2024 Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show in which he dazzled fans, continuing the tradition of internationally renowned artists gracing this grand stage.
